Hong Kong authorities are conducting what appear to be targeted tax audits against journalists and media outlets as part of a broader crackdown on press freedoms. Selina Cheng from the Hong Kong Journalists Association highlighted bizarre accusations from the Inland Revenue Department, including erroneous profit tax demands and audits for nonexistent companies. Reportedly affecting multiple journalists and outlets, these audits threaten to impose significant financial and mental burdens, disrupting journalistic work and further straining an already challenged media environment, raising alarms about press independence in Hong Kong.
One journalist had their income assessed as double the amount they had actually earned, raising concerns about audits as a financial and mental strain on media workers.
Cheng emphasized, 'We are concerned that tax investigations will put a financial and mental strain on media workers, disrupt our reporting and prevent us from focusing our journalistic work.'
The Hong Kong Free Press expressed worries over the audits, asserting they had always met tax obligations, raising questions about the burden on tax resources.
Selina Cheng stated these tax audits target journalists, describing the claims by the tax department as strange and unreasonable, exacerbating concerns over press freedoms.
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