Dow Jones found guilty in Hong Kong journalist union case

A Hong Kong court on Thursday found Dow Jones guilty of trying to deter journalist Selina Cheng from taking a union role, but acquitted the Wall Street Journal publisher of firing her because of it.

Cheng, who was made redundant from the Wall Street Journal in July 2024, had accused Dow Jones of unlawfully terminating her employment over her role chairing the Hong Kong Journalists' Association and of trying to stop her from standing for a union position.

The court found that Dow Jones tried to prevent Cheng from exercising her right to run for the union chairmanship. The judge accepted the company's argument that Cheng was made redundant because of corporate restructuring, not because she chaired the association.

Hong Kong labour law protects the right to take part in a trade union. An employer found guilty of a “prevent or deter” offence can be fined up to HK$100,000, or $12,755.

Cheng told reporters outside court that reporters could not work safely if their employment rights were not protected or enforced. The judge said Dow Jones's requirement that Cheng seek prior permission to take a union role was an “unjustified deterrent” of her rights.

A Dow Jones spokesperson told AFP the company “respectfully disagree[s] with the ruling” and is evaluating its next steps, while saying it is “deeply respectful” of Hong Kong's labour laws.

Cheng launched a private prosecution in 2025 after filing a complaint with the Labour Department that did not result in a prosecution.