攝影記者：關永傑
編輯：鍾然 校對：程筱筱 翻译：周敏

2026年4月11日，由灣區香港人社區中心（HKCC）及美國香港人會館（US HongKongers Club）發起，一場以「新聞自由無價」為主題的義賣籌款活動在灣區舉行。來自灣區各市，甚至從洛杉磯遠道而來的香港人齊聚一堂，以實際行動支持在高壓環境下仍然堅守崗位的香港新聞工作者，並向長期捍衛新聞自由的香港記者協會致敬。

（熱心人士捐贈的義賣品——自由無價）

主辦方代表在開場致辭中指出，媒體不僅承擔著客觀報導事實的責任，更是法治社會中不可或缺的「第四權力」，對公權力進行監督，維繫社會應有的制衡機制。一旦新聞工作者無法獨立履行職責，公眾的知情權亦將隨之受損，社會的透明度與公義基礎也會受到嚴重影響。

【熱心人士捐贈的義賣品——以香港獅子山為背景：Truth Matters in the Old Time (2026)，To most Hongkongers, freedoms of speech and press have always been a right that are there to embrace until they are gone in a flash. However, from the loss of it, we should learn how to use our wisdom and critical minds to grasp and understand truth, especially in this world of fake media.】

主持人在介紹香港新聞界現狀時，引用無國界記者公布的世界新聞自由指數，香港在2002年獲得歷史上最高排名：全球第18位，當時香港曾被視為亞洲新聞自由的堡壘。而在剛過去的2025年，香港獲得有史以來最低的評分，排名跌至140位，狀況等級已跌至接近該組織定義的最差級別（Very serious）。這是香港首次跌入該組織所界定的最差區間，因此近年來香港記者所面臨的環境愈發嚴峻，壓力來自多個層面。

首先，在法律層面，記者及相關組織不斷捲入司法程序。香港記者協會近年持續通過司法覆核，為新聞採訪權及資訊獲取權據理力爭，但相關案件不僅耗時漫長，亦伴隨著高昂的法律費用風險。部分案件雖未能改變整體環境，仍體現新聞界對原則的堅持。其次，行業支援需求顯著上升。隨著媒體生態收縮，不少記者失去原有崗位，香港記者協會需為受影響從業者提供短期經濟援助、專業培訓，以及法律與心理支援。這些原本屬於行業基礎保障的工作，在當前環境下變得尤為關鍵，同時也對協會的資源構成沉重壓力。

（熱心人士捐贈的義賣品——有灣區名人親筆簽名的週年紀念版紅酒一瓶）

在採訪環境方面，主持人特別強調，自我審查現象日益普遍且複雜。過去，編輯層面的取捨較為常見；而今日，記者在採訪及報導過程中往往需要同時考慮法律風險、機構立場，甚至受訪者的安全。有時，即使掌握事實，也需反覆權衡是否完整呈現，以避免對他人造成潛在風險。這種「全方位審查」已成為不少前線記者的日常處境。

（熱心人士捐贈的手工藝品）

此外，主持人還提到，香港記者協會在籌款及日常運作上亦面臨困難，包括活動場地臨時取消、資源獲取受限等問題，使維持正常運作更加艱難。然而，儘管挑戰重重，該會仍持續運作，致力為新聞工作者發聲，並探索支持獨立記者及小型媒體的新方式。

當晚活動採取義賣及聚餐形式進行，既為籌款，也讓參與者在交流中凝聚共識。主辦方表示，希望通過「化整為零」的方式，讓更多身處海外的香港人參與支持行動，在不同國家與地區延續對新聞自由的關注。義賣競投環節中，與會者反應熱烈，港人的堅韌與團結精神，賦予了義賣品更多情感意義，令競投價格一再攀升。活動最終籌得的款項，超出主辦方預期。

（展示現場籌得的部分款項，主持人感謝熱心人士的支持）

活動最後，主持人再次感謝所有到場人士的支持，並強調，每一份捐助都將轉化為對新聞工作的實際支援。在充滿不確定性的時代，這種跨地域的連結與守望，正是新聞自由得以延續的重要力量。

Bay Area Hongkongers Hold Charity Sale to Support HKJA

Photojournalist: Kwan Wing-kit
Editor: Zhong Ran Proofreader: Cheng Xiaoxiao Translator: Zhou Min

Summary: Bay Area Hongkongers organized a charity sale and fundraiser to support the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). The event focused on the deteriorating press freedom and industry hardships, gathering overseas strength to support front-line journalists and continuing the guardianship of and attention to journalistic values.

On April 11, 2026, a charity fundraising event themed “Press Freedom is Priceless” was held in the Bay Area, initiated by the Hong Konger Community Center (HKCC) and the US HongKongers Club. Hongkongers from various cities in the Bay Area, and even some who traveled from as far as Los Angeles, gathered to take practical action in support of Hong Kong news practitioners who still hold their posts under high-pressure environments, and to pay tribute to the Hong Kong Journalists Association for its long-term defense of press freedom.

(Charity sale item donated by a warm-hearted individual — Freedom is Priceless)

In the opening remarks, a representative of the organizers pointed out that the media not only bears the responsibility of reporting facts objectively but is also the indispensable “Fourth Estate” in a society governed by the rule of law. It monitors public power and maintains the necessary checks and balances of society. Once news practitioners are unable to perform their duties independently, the public’s right to know will suffer accordingly, and the transparency and foundation of justice in society will be severely affected.

【Charity sale item donated by a warm-hearted individual — featuring Hong Kong’s Lion Rock as the background: Truth Matters in the Old Time (2026). “To most Hongkongers, freedoms of speech and press have always been a right that are there to embrace until they are gone in a flash. However, from the loss of it, we should learn how to use our wisdom and critical minds to grasp and understand truth, especially in this world of fake media.”】

While introducing the current status of the Hong Kong news industry, the host cited the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Hong Kong achieved its highest historical ranking in 2002: 18th in the world. At that time, Hong Kong was regarded as a bastion of press freedom in Asia. However, in the just-passed year of 2025, Hong Kong received its lowest score ever, with its ranking plummeting to 140th. Its status level has dropped to near the worst category defined by the organization (“Very serious”). This is the first time Hong Kong has fallen into the worst bracket defined by the organization; thus, the environment faced by Hong Kong journalists in recent years has become increasingly severe, with pressure coming from multiple levels.

First, at the legal level, journalists and related organizations are continuously embroiled in judicial proceedings. In recent years, the Hong Kong Journalists Association has persisted in fighting for news gathering rights and the right to access information through judicial reviews. However, these cases are not only time-consuming but also carry the risk of high legal fees. Although some cases failed to change the overall environment, they still embody the journalism industry’s adherence to principles. Secondly, the demand for industry support has risen significantly. As the media ecology shrinks, many journalists have lost their original positions. The HKJA must provide short-term financial aid, professional training, and legal and psychological support for affected practitioners. These tasks, which originally belonged to basic industry protections, have become particularly crucial in the current environment, while also posing a heavy strain on the Association’s resources.

(Charity sale item donated by a warm-hearted individual — a bottle of anniversary edition red wine with the personal signature of a Bay Area celebrity)

Regarding the reporting environment, the host particularly emphasized that the phenomenon of self-censorship is becoming increasingly prevalent and complex. In the past, selection and omission at the editorial level were more common; today, however, journalists often need to simultaneously consider legal risks, institutional stances, and even the safety of interviewees during the interview and reporting process. Sometimes, even when the facts are in hand, one must repeatedly weigh whether to present them in full to avoid potential risks to others. This “all-encompassing censorship” has become the daily reality for many front-line journalists.

(Handicrafts donated by warm-hearted individuals)

Furthermore, the host mentioned that the Hong Kong Journalists Association also faces difficulties in fundraising and daily operations, including the last-minute cancellation of event venues and restricted access to resources, making it even harder to maintain normal operations. However, despite the numerous challenges, the Association continues to operate, striving to speak up for news practitioners and exploring new ways to support independent journalists and small media outlets.

The event that evening was conducted in the form of a charity sale and dinner, serving both as a fundraiser and a way for participants to build consensus through exchange. The organizers stated that they hoped to use a “decentralized” (break into parts) approach to allow more Hongkongers living overseas to participate in supportive actions, continuing the focus on press freedom across different countries and regions. During the charity auction segment, participants responded enthusiastically. The resilience and spirit of solidarity of the Hong Kong people gave the items more emotional significance, causing the bidding prices to rise repeatedly. The final funds raised by the event exceeded the organizers’ expectations.

(Displaying a portion of the funds raised on-site; the host thanks the warm-hearted individuals for their support)

At the end of the event, the host once again thanked all attendees for their support and emphasized that every donation would be transformed into practical support for journalistic work. In an era full of uncertainty, this cross-regional connection and mutual support are precisely the vital forces that allow press freedom to endure.