Suara (newspaper)

Last updated
Suara
Suara (HK) title.png
TypeFortnightly newspaper
Owner(s)HK Publications Ltd.
Founded2002 (2002)
Language Indonesian
Circulation 35,000(as of 2007) [1]
Sister newspapersHong Kong News
Website www.suara.com.hk

Suara (literally "Voice") is an Indonesian-language newspaper published fortnightly in Hong Kong. Founded in 2002, it is popular among the territory's population of approximately 150,000 Indonesian domestic workers. [2] [3] A 2007 profile in The Jakarta Post called Suara the "principal Indonesian language-newspaper in Hong Kong". [1]

Contents

History

Suara was founded in 2002. [4] It began publication in 2003, initially printing 16,000 copies of each 16-page edition. [5] The newspaper is owned by HK Publications Limited, which also publishes Hong Kong News, a twice-monthly paper targeting the Filipino community in Hong Kong. HK Publications is owned by entrepreneur David Chen, and was first registered in Hong Kong as Onephone Limited in 2000. [6] [7] An early editor of the paper was Mohammed Fanani, who previously worked as a journalist in Jakarta. [1] Fanani left Suara in 2010 and returned to Indonesia. [8]

According to a 2007 profile of the newspaper in The Jakarta Post , each edition of Suara, published twice monthly, saw a print run of 35,000 copies. [1] The outlet had three staff members in 2008, and also paid Indonesian migrant workers to contribute their own personal stories. [5]

Business model and content

The newspaper is registered under the Registration of Local Newspapers Ordinance. [9] It is distributed for free, and is supported by advertising. [1] It is mainly distributed through Indonesian shops in Hong Kong and by migrant workers' organisations. [5] Suara also publishes on the Internet via a website and several social media channels. Suara's parent company is associated with mobile phone companies, and many of the advertisements appearing in the newspaper market their products and services to Indonesian domestic workers. [8]

Suara covers news from both Indonesia and Hong Kong. It specialises in content relevant to the lives of Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong. [8] The newspaper has been noted for the quality of its journalism compared to other Indonesian-language media outlets in Hong Kong, hiring professional journalists and publishing pieces highlighting injustices against migrant workers, such as wage fraud and domestic violence. [1] [8] It also reports on the activities of the Indonesian consulate in Hong Kong. [1] [5] The newspaper has been said to help empower Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong by providing them with information on matters affecting their livelihood, and by serving as a forum for migrant workers to express themselves and develop writing skills. [5]

Shooting of associate editor

Veby Mega Indah Veby Mega Indah 2019.png
Veby Mega Indah
Anti-totalitarianism rally held on 29 September 2019 2019-09-29 Quan Qiu Fan Ji Quan Da You Xing Anti-totalitarianism rally (Hong Kong) 066.jpg
Anti-totalitarianism rally held on 29 September 2019

Amid the pro-democratic 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, a "global anti-totalitarianism protest" was held on Hong Kong Island on 29 September 2019. Suara associate editor Veby Mega Indah, covering the protest in Wan Chai, was shot in the face with a projectile fired by Hong Kong Police Force officers on the O'Brien Road footbridge. According to video footage, Indah was wearing high-visibility clothing and a helmet with "press" decals. The footage also showed journalists alerting the police to their presence and asking them not to shoot. [2]

Upon being shot, Indah fell to the ground and was treated by first aid workers on the scene before being taken to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. [2] She lost sight permanently in her right eye. [10] Indah's lawyer stated that he believed the projectile fired by police was a rubber bullet. [11]

The Hong Kong Journalists Association released a statement expressing concern about reports that Indah was not in the vicinity of the protesters at the time of the shooting, and was clearly marked as a member of the press. [11] Suara released a statement strongly condemning the shooting, alleging that Indah "clearly could not have been mistaken for a protester" given her attire and press markings. [4] The Alliance of Independent Journalists, based in Indonesia, called on the Hong Kong Police to hold the shooter accountable. [12]

Indah is attempting to pursue private prosecution against the officer who shot her, stating that she hopes her case will prompt a reform of police conduct, thereby preventing a repeat occurrence. [3] However, her case could not proceed as she did not know the shooter's identity. [13] In January 2020, the Hong Kong Police Force stated that it knew the identity of the officer, but would not divulge the information to Indah as the matter remained under "active investigation". [14] By March 2020, the police force's refusal to name the officer prompted some netizens to share his purported identity on social media. In response, the police arrested one public figure who had shared such a social media post, pro-democratic district councillor Cheng Lai-king, on "sedition" grounds. [15]

The shooting was cited by commentators as an example of increasingly frequent attacks on journalists by Hong Kong police during the 2019–20 protests. [16] Indah echoed these sentiments, stating that the numbers of attacks suggested the police were targeting journalists. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Apple Daily</i> Hong Kong-based newspaper

Apple Daily is a Hong Kong tabloid-style newspaper founded in 1995 by Jimmy Lai. Along with entertainment magazine Next Magazine, Apple Daily is part of Next Digital. The paper publishes print and digital editions in Chinese, as well as a digital-only English edition.

Carrie Lam Chief Executive of Hong Kong

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is a Hong Kong politician serving as the fourth and current Chief Executive of Hong Kong since 2017 and Chairperson of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security since 2020. She served as Chief Secretary for Administration from 2012 to 2017 and Secretary for Development from 2007 to 2012.

2016 Mong Kok civil unrest

Civil unrest occurred in Mong Kok, Hong Kong from the night of 8 February 2016 until the following morning. The incident escalated from the government's crackdown on unlicensed street hawkers during the Chinese New Year holidays. Eventual violent clashes broke out between police and protesters, resulting in injuries on both sides.

Ted Hui Hong Kong politician

Ted Hui Chi-fung is a Hong Kong politician. He represented the Chung Wan constituency in the Central and Western District Council, and was the Legislative Councillor for the Hong Kong Island constituency. He announced his self-exile in Denmark and withdrawal from the Democratic Party in December 2020.

2019–20 Hong Kong protests Pro-democracy demonstrations and other civil disobedience

The 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, also known as the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement, were triggered by the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill by the Hong Kong government. The bill would have allowed extradition to jurisdictions with which Hong Kong did not have extradition agreements, including mainland China and Taiwan. This led to concerns that Hong Kong residents and visitors would be exposed to the legal system of mainland China, thereby undermining Hong Kong's autonomy and infringing civil liberties. It set off a chain of protest actions that began with a sit-in at the government headquarters on 15 March 2019, a demonstration attended by hundreds of thousands on 9 June 2019, followed by a gathering outside the Legislative Council Complex to stall the bill's second reading on 12 June which escalated into violence that caught the world's attention.

2019 Yuen Long attack Mob attack in Hong Kong

On the evening of 21 July 2019, during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, a mob attack occurred in Yuen Long, a town in the New Territories. An armed mob of triad members dressed in white indiscriminately attacked civilians on streets with steel rods and rattan canes, before attacking passengers in nearby Yuen Long station including the elderly, children, black-clad protesters, journalists and lawmakers. At least 45 people were injured in the incident, including a pregnant woman. The attack happened following an anti-extradition bill protest earlier that day in Sheung Wan, a district on Hong Kong Island.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (July 2019) July events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

This segment of the timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests covers the month of July 2019. The anniversary of the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China on 1 July saw large daytime protests. In the evening of that day, protesters stormed the Legislative Council Building and defaced symbols, with police only moving in after midnight. This incident, which was sharply condemned by the government of Carrie Lam, did however not lead to a split between peaceful and violent protesters. Observers linked the understanding of the non-violent protesters for the violent wing to the lack of willingness of the Lam government to engage in dialogue about the protesters' five demands. Apart from major protests on Sundays, there were also mostly peaceful demonstrations during the week.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (August 2019) August events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

The month of August 2019 in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests saw a continuation of protests throughout the city. Several of the peaceful daytime protests were held by social groups such as families, the elderly, and various professions. In many instances, peaceful protests occurs during the day, turning increasingly violent at night. In some instances, white- or blue-shirted armed groups were attacking protesters and even passersby caught up in the conflict, although not at the scale of the Yuen Long violence of 21 July. Protesters aimed at drawing international attention through methods such as extended sit-ins at the airport. In many occasions, an eye injury of a female protester who had served as frontline medical staff became an symbol of the protests. At the airport protests, a mainland journalist was violently tackled by protesters who did not revealed his identity to the protesters. Protesters later apologised for this incident, reducing tensions and satifying some pro-establishment lawmakers. Heavy-handed police tactics, which included the first use of water cannons and live warning shots caused further controversy, fueling further protests throughout the city.

Police misconduct allegations during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests Aspect of 2019–20 Hong Kong protests

The conduct of the Hong Kong Police Force is a subject of controversy during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. Tactics employed by the force have led to misconduct allegations and protesters have accused the Hong Kong government of using the police as a method to resolve a "lingering political crisis." Actions taken by the police force and the Hong Kong government have caused mixed reactions inside Hong Kong and in the general international community. Allegations against the police include excessive use of force, force against unspecific targets, and arrest without warrant. These allegations have been presented in various media both supporting and detracting from the complaints, such as through amateur video. In general, the spirit, rumors, videos, and other media shared by the public have caused a drop in support for the police force, and an Amnesty International report accused the police of using excessive force against civilians. One of the objectives of the 2019–20 protests is establishment of an independent inquiry system into said allegations.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (October 2019) October events of the 2019–20 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

In October 2019, the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests saw a further escalation of violence. It became evident that the protests were unlikely to end soon, and that they posed the biggest popular challenge to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping since his ascension to CCP general secretary in 2012. In order to bring the situation under control, Chief Executive Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era powers to impose an anti-mask law, aimed at preventing protesters from hiding their identity. Observers considered the law, which came into force on 4 October, as a precedent for possible wider use of emergency powers at the expense of citizens' freedoms and in addition democratic rights, as they even saw the possibility of the upcoming District Council elections being cancelled based on the emergency law. The mask ban did, however, not achieve the desired effect, but rather proved a further focal point of protests. In November, the High Court ruled the mask ban to be unconstitutional, although in April 2020, an Appeal Court ruled that it was constitutional in the case of unlawful assemblies.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (November 2019) November events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

The month of November 2019 in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests started with protesting in malls and police getting into homes and malls to arrest protesters. The death of Chow Tsz-lok in Sheung Tak, Tseung Kwan O had led to more protests. In mid November, there were city-wide strikes which lasted for more than a week. Hong Kong Police officers fired tear gas in Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and nearby areas. In late November, the District Council elections were held. The pro-democracy camp in conjunction with the localist groups got more than 80 per cent of the seats and gained control of 17 out of 18 District Councils.

12 June 2019 Hong Kong protest

Intense confrontation between anti-extradition bill protesters and the Hong Kong Police Force occurred on 12 June 2019 outside the Government Headquarters in Admiralty, Hong Kong Island. The protest was sparked by the government's introduction of the controversial Fugitive Offenders amendment bill, which was set to go through second reading on 12 June despite mass opposition.

Siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University 2019 clash between protesters and police at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University occurred during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests on the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (December 2019) December events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

After the rapid deterioration of the overall situation in the city in the course of the previous months of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, a degree of calming of the protests occurred in December 2019. This was due to several factors. One was an initial expectation of the protesters and their supporters that the government would finally offer concessions on the Five Demands – apart from the withdrawn extradition bill – after the resounding defeat of the pro-establishment camp in the District Council Elections on 24 November, which had dealt a blow to government rhetoric about its public support. The mass protests on 8 December were largely an expression of dissatisfaction that these concessions had not been forthcoming. Another factor seen as responsible for the decrease in the size of the protests was that the arrests during the Siege of Polytechnic University had thinned the ranks of the protesters.

Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre Building in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre (CIC, Chinese: 青山灣入境事務中心 is an immigration detention centre located in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. 7,942 persons were held at CIC in 2015 who were slated for expulsion from Hong Kong.

Cheng Lai-king Hong Kong district councillor

Cheng Lai-king is a Hong Kong politician who serves as District Councillor for the Castle Road constituency, and as chairwoman of Central and Western District Council. She is a member of the Democratic Party and a registered social worker.

Chan Hok-Fung is a Pro-Beijing DAB Hong Kong politician who was a member of Central and Western District Council, and was once the vice-chairman of the council He was defeated in the 2019 Hong Kong local elections.

Timeline of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests (May 2020) May events of the 2019–2020 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong

The month of May in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests saw a resurgence of protests. This was partly due to the containment of the coronavirus pandemic, with a total of less than 50 newly reported cases, and a small uptick in cases at the end of the month. These were the first major protests erupting since early March. Tensions increased again as police employed heavy-handed tactics including towards minors and journalists.

Simon Cheng Hong Kong activist

Simon Cheng Man-kit is a Hong Kong activist. He was formerly a trade and investment officer at the British Consulate-General Hong Kong. Cheng was detained by Chinese authorities in August 2019 in West Kowloon station when he returned from a business trip in Shenzhen. While the Chinese authorities stated that he was arrested for "soliciting prostitutes", Cheng denied the accusation and added that Chinese agents tortured him in an attempt to make him confess that he was a British spy who was involved in instigating the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Cheng subsequently fled to London and was granted asylum in June 2020.

Nabela Qoser is a Hong Kong journalist and broadcaster. She is currently Assistant Programme Officer at Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and currently co-hosts the RTHK talk showThis Week. She is the first Cantonese-language news reporter of non-ethnic Chinese descent in Hong Kong. She attracted media attention in 2019 following her outspoken questioning of government officials.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Graham, Duncan (20 September 2007). "Publish and be profitable". The Jakarta Post.
  2. 1 2 3 Cheng, Kris (30 September 2019). "Hong Kong riot police target journalists during Sunday unrest, as reporter shot in the eye with projectile". Hong Kong Free Press.
  3. 1 2 3 Kuo, Lily (31 December 2019). "Hong Kong: reporter blinded covering protests on her bid to sue police". The Guardian.
  4. 1 2 "Official Suara statement on the shooting of our associate editor, Veby Mega Indah". Suara. 3 October 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Koesoemawiria, Edith (2008). Indonesian diaspora and minority media: Mirroring me daily (PDF). 4th Symposium, Forum Medien und Entwicklung.
  6. ↑ "Tentang Kami". Suara. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "Companies Registry". Hong Kong Government. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Wahyudi, Irfan; Allmark, Panizza (2018). "Print media as a migrant advocacy tool: A case of Indonesian language print media in Hong Kong". Masyarakat, Kebudayaan dan Politik. 31 (3): 241–255.
  9. ↑ "List of Registered Periodicals" (PDF). Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Indonesian reporter loses sight in one eye". RTHK. 2 October 2019.
  11. 1 2 Grundy, Tom (2 October 2019). "Journalist shot in face with Hong Kong police projectile will lose sight permanently in right eye, lawyer says". Hong Kong Free Press.
  12. ↑ Aulia Widadio, Nicky (3 October 2019). "Journalists condemn shooting of Indonesian reporter". Anadolu Agency .
  13. ↑ Walker, Tommy (22 December 2019). "Hong Kong police sued by journalist who lost eye after being hit with a rubber bullet". The Telegraph.
  14. ↑ "Police reluctant to name officer who fired shot". RTHK. 3 January 2020.
  15. ↑ "Democrat Cheng Lai-king arrested for 'sedition'". The Standard . 26 March 2020.
  16. ↑ Sataline, Suzanne (11 October 2019). "Hong Kong's Worsening Press Climate". The Atlantic .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.