Hong Kong press group’s fundraising concert moves online after live show axed over ‘irresistible force’

HKJA fundraising concert forced to move online

A fundraising concert organised by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) has been forced to move online, after the live performance was axed due to “irresistible force,” the press group said.

HKJA announced on Wednesday that the live concert scheduled for Sunday would take place online on May 8, after the show was called off due to unforeseen circumstances in the final stages of preparation.

Hong Kong Journalists Association. Photo: Selina Cheng/HKFP.

“[The fundraising concert] has unfortunately been cancelled due to an irresistible force in the final stages of preparation… We hope that everyone can continue to support us in this new format,” a Chinese statement from the HKJA read.

Fundraising for press freedom

According to an email from the HKJA earlier this month, the concert was set to take place in the Kowloon West district. It would feature three singers, three musicians who were “held back by the news industry” and other professional musicians.

The performance would include almost 20 songs and an auction would be held to raise funds for the HKJA to “continue to defend press freedom and the rights of journalists,” it said.

The venue was to be Lost Stars Livehouse Bar & Eatery, but the restaurant in Tai Kok Tsui announced last month that it would close down on April 27 after operating in the city for six years. During that time it had featured live performances by local music artists, including pop duo per se, guitarist Jason Kui and singer Ng Lam-fung.

A poster promoting a fundraising concert organised by the Hong Kong Journalists Association. Photo: HKJA.

In response to HKFP’s enquiries, Lost Stars said further information was released on “relevant platforms.” However, no statement was released on their social media pages. The livehouse also did not respond to questions as to whether it had cancelled the venue agreement with the HKJA.

“Further information has been released on relevant platforms, and everyone can refer to them for details. Thank you for the concern from all sectors, let’s add oil together!” a WhatsApp message from the restaurant proprietor read.

The proprietor told HKFP to enquire with the press group when asked which platform it was referring to. But the HKJA said it did not receive any additional information from the restaurant.

Those who had purchased concert tickets may apply for a refund via the ticketing platform before April 30. They may also get a refund for their donation. But the HKJA said it was facing operational and financial difficulties and urged people to continue their support for the press group.

String of last-minute cancellations

A summit about the operations of independent media in Hong Kong was forced to go online in December last year following multiple venue cancellations. One venue told the event organiser that the conference was “unsuitable.”

The organiser, Culture & Media Education Foundation, told HKFP at the time that it believed the cancellation was “self-censorship.”

Hong Kong’s largest democratic party also struggled to find venues to host its events in recent years, with many refusing reservations or backing out at the eleventh hour. The Democratic Party had to call off a fundraising dinner in September last year, after two restaurants that were meant to host the event pulled out at the last minute, with one citing broken windows after a typhoon.

Hong Kong has plummeted in international press freedom indices since the onset of the security law. Watchdogs cite the arrest of journalists, raids on newsrooms and the closure of around 10 media outlets including Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News. Over 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, whilst many have emigrated. Meanwhile, the city’s government-funded broadcaster RTHK has adopted new editorial guidelines, purged its archives and axed news and satirical shows.

In 2022, Chief Executive John Lee said press freedom was “in the pocket” of Hongkongers but “nobody is above the law.” Although he has told the press to “tell a good Hong Kong story,” government departments have been reluctant to respond to story pitches.