Hong Kong court hears wrongful dismissal case by ex WSJ reporter

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 December 2025 |  JP Asia Desk

The case of Selina Cheng, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal, raises significant issues about employment rights in the context of union activities. Her wrongful termination lawsuit is under scrutiny, highlighting ongoing concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong.

Summary

HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court has heard a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Wall Street Journal reporter Selina Cheng, who alleges that her dismissal was linked to her role in union leadership. The case is being examined under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance, which governs labor protections and unfair dismissal claims.

Cheng’s lawsuit focuses on whether her termination breached statutory employment safeguards, particularly those related to protected activities such as union involvement. The proceedings have drawn attention from media workers and legal observers in the city, where newsroom labor issues have become increasingly sensitive.

Union activity and employment protections

The case highlights the legal boundaries around union participation in Hong Kong workplaces, including news organizations. Under existing labor law, employees are afforded protections against dismissal tied to union membership or activities, a principle Cheng’s legal team argues was violated.

The Wall Street Journal has not publicly detailed its position in court filings available to the public, and the proceedings are centered on whether the termination met the legal thresholds set by Hong Kong employment statutes rather than broader political considerations.

Broader press freedom context

The lawsuit is unfolding against the backdrop of heightened concerns over press freedom in Hong Kong following the implementation of the national security law. Since its enactment, several independent media outlets have shut down, and journalists have faced tighter legal and regulatory constraints.

While Cheng’s case is formally an employment dispute, it has been closely watched by journalism advocates as a test of whether labor and union protections for media workers remain enforceable in practice. Observers note that employment-related cases can serve as indicators of organizational independence within newsrooms operating in a more restrictive legal environment.

Legal experts caution that the court’s ruling will be confined to the facts and legal standards of the Employment Ordinance. However, the outcome may still carry implications for how media organizations in Hong Kong manage staff relations, union engagement, and internal governance amid continuing scrutiny of press conditions.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on court proceedings and publicly available legal and media freedom documentation.

PHOTO: Selina Cheng (X/@selina_cheng)