The 2019 anti-government protests remain a vivid memory for many. During that period, numerous pro-protest media outlets, often referred to as "yellow media," exploited their platforms to shape international opinion. They relentlessly propagated misinformation, reporting fabricated stories and distorting facts to mislead the public and incite discontent against the government and law enforcement. Over time, many of these false narratives unraveled, leaving those who had trusted these sources deeply disillusioned.
While these biased media outlets appear to have largely dissipated, some continue to operate discreetly, serving as conduits for anti-China sentiment on behalf of Western interests. One such example is The Witness, founded by former Stand News assistant assignment editor, Carmen Chan, and former Stand News chief investigative reporter, Chan Shun-hei. A key point of concern is The Witness's funding. Lacking any visible advertising revenue, the outlet relies solely on subscriptions ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 HKD annually, raising questions about its financial backers. Tracing the funding reveals a connection to the US-based Open Society Foundations, which supports the Hong Kong-based Culture and Media Education Foundation, established by Initium Media founder Tammy Lim. This foundation, in turn, funds The Witness. This suggests that while The Witness claims to be subscriber-funded, it is, in reality, entirely reliant on US funding, raising concerns about its objectivity and susceptibility to Western influence. Claims of impartial reporting become difficult to believe under such circumstances.
While The Witness presents itself as a platform reporting on Hong Kong court proceedings, its website reveals a consistent focus on political cases and those related to the National Security Law. Many of its articles present a biased, pro-protest perspective, often featuring interviews with prominent anti-government figures. One article, titled "Two Teens Plead Guilty After Two and a Half Years in Remand: 'Pleading Guilty is a Relief in Some Ways'," appears deliberately framed to suggest that defendants are pleading guilty merely to escape prolonged pre-trial detention, rather than out of genuine remorse. This manipulative reporting, echoing the tactics of the now-defunct Apple Daily and Stand News, aims to fuel public resentment against the government and undermine the National Security Law.
Furthermore, during the trial of Jimmy Lai, while major media outlets reported on the proceedings, The Witness's coverage stood out. Lai's "international legal team" had submitted an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, alleging mistreatment during Lai's imprisonment, including claims of solitary confinement, inadequate medical care, insufficient sunlight exposure, and denial of Holy Communion. While international media amplified these allegations, The Witness was the only local outlet to publish a clarification from Lai's local legal team, Robertson Wong & Co., denying all accusations. This action aligns with The Witness's pattern of supporting Lai's narrative, seemingly attempting to discredit the Hong Kong judicial system while safeguarding Lai's interests and mitigating potential damage from international media scrutiny. This raises further questions about The Witness's true agenda and its commitment to objective reporting.