US, Japan, Britain, 18 other countries condemn loss of press freedoms in Hong Kong

The United States, Britain, Japan and 18 other countries have condemned the governments of Hong Kong and mainland China for undermining press freedom in the semi-autonomous city and former British colony.

Citing the recent closures of Hong Kong’s Stand News and Citizen News, the joint statement on Tuesday called moves against some of the city’s media outlets “attacks on freedom of the press” and “suppression of independent local media”.