Deutsche Welle Honours Jimmy Lai with Freedom of Speech Award Amidst Prison Sentence
The annual award highlights the risks faced by independent journalists globally, acknowledging Lai's role in founding Apple Daily and his unwavering stance despite severe restrictions on civil liberties in Hong Kong.
Deutsche Welle has presented Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai with its Freedom of Speech Award, recognising his indispensable dedication to democratic values and his defence of press freedom. The honour, which has been awarded annually since 2015, specifically cites Lai's role in founding the Apple Daily, which provided a platform for independent reporting and the democracy movement.
The recognition comes as Lai, 78, serves a recent 20-year prison sentence under Hong Kong's national security law for alleged collusion with foreign forces. His legal team has stated he will not appeal the conviction, which the broadcaster describes as the heaviest punishment handed down so far under the legislation. Lai has spent nearly 2,000 days in solitary confinement at Hong Kong's maximum-security Stanley Prison since his arrest in December 2020.
DW Director General Barbara Massing highlighted that Lai stood unwaveringly for press freedom at great personal risk, even as space for independent journalism became increasingly limited. She noted that with Apple Daily, Lai gave journalists a platform for free reporting and a voice to the democracy movement, reminding observers that press freedom is never a given and must be constantly defended.
Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai's son and a longtime advocate for his release, stated the award demonstrates that those fighting for freedom are never alone. He noted the significance of the honour at a time when many media outlets in Hong Kong are engaging in self-censorship due to the shrinking environment for independent reporting.
Concerns regarding Lai's health in custody have been raised by his family, who claim he is diabetic, has lost 10 kilograms, and suffers from shedding nails and decaying teeth. While the prosecution cites medical reports stating he is in stable condition, his family argues he is deteriorating, with Sebastien Lai expressing deep concern that his father may die in prison.
Looking ahead, US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month, with hopes that the US leader might intervene regarding Lai's release. Sebastien Lai acknowledged the difficulty of imagining such an outcome but noted the President's past track record of securing the release of other prisoners.
