Editorial: Hong Kong Free Press completes expansion – meet the team, delve behind the scenes

Hong Kong Free Press has completed its expansion, with the newsroom more than doubling in size since its 2020 relaunch.

Our team of nine experienced journalists now includes a dedicated editor, photojournalist and social media/production manager, providing more capacity for original, award-winning reporting. The investments were made possible by HKFP’s monthly Patrons, who provide regular, sustained support to protect our independence and press freedom.

See also: 8 years of HKFP: Why we remain committed to on-the-ground reporting in Hong Kong

HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.

 Aside from receiving a 100 per cent credibility rating from Newsguard, HKFP is also undergoing assessments this year to gain two more credibility hallmarks, as we expand our ethical guidelines and standards.

The latest recruits to take their seats at our new Kennedy Town newsroom are: award-winning journalist Irene Chan; Hans Tse, who has an academic research background; and James Lee, who joined us from The Standard. Together, they form our new, frontline reporting team. And Social Media and Production Manager Shan Chan will be bringing both a journalistic and marketing background to the team.

How we make the news

What does a day in the life of an HKFP journalist look like? How do we select stories, deploy and assign staff? How are deeper features planned, sourced and developed? And how does HKFP continue to operate in an ever-changing city? Watch our new “behind the scenes” video to see how HKFP makes the news…

Meet the team:

Tom Grundy

Tom is the editor-in-chief and founder of Hong Kong Free Press. He has a BA in Communications and New Media from Leeds University and an MA in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. He has contributed to the BBC, Euronews, Al-Jazeera and others. More by Tom Grundy

• twitter

Mercedes Hutton

Mercedes is a Hong Kong-based British journalist with an interest in environmental and social issues. She has written for the Guardian and the BBC and previously worked at the South China Morning Post. More by Mercedes Hutton

• twitter

Kelly Ho

Kelly Ho has an interest in local politics, education and sports. She formerly worked at South China Morning Post Young Post, where she specialised in reporting on issues related to Hong Kong youth. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong, with a second major in Politics and Public Administration. More by Kelly Ho

• twitter

Irene Chan

Irene Chan is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press and has an interest in covering political and social change. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Fudan University and a master’s degree in social work from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. More by Irene Chan

• twitter

Hillary Leung

Hillary has an interest in social issues and politics. Previously, she reported on Asia broadly – including on Hong Kong’s 2019 protests – for TIME Magazine and covered local news at Coconuts Hong Kong. More by Hillary Leung

• twitter

James Lee

James is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press with an interest in culture and social issues. He has a bachelor’s degree in English at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with a minor in Journalism. He was previously a reporter at The Standard. More by James Lee

• twitter

Hans Tse

Hans Tse is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press. He was previously a researcher at several universities and wrote about local politics and media transformations. He holds an M.Phil in communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. More by Hans Tse

• twitter

Kyle Lam

Kyle Lam is a Hong Kong Baptist University graduate who has worked as a photojournalist and reporter since 2013. His work has been published by HK01, the European Pressphoto Agency, Bloomberg and Ming Pao. Lam is the recipient of several prizes from the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association and Human Rights Press Awards. More by Kyle Lam

• twitter

Shan Chan

Shan is the social media and production manager at Hong Kong Free Press. She has worked as a reporter and social media editor since 2019 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. More by Shan Chan

• twitter

We need your support

Our team is dedicated to remaining on-the-ground, amongst Hongkongers, as the city’s only English-language independent news outlet. Powered by reader support, we are dedicated to safeguarding the remaining space for press freedom, monitoring the courts and legislature, and asking tough questions of officials. Key to HKFP’s longevity has been our strict impartial stance, our commitment to accuracy, and our unprecedented level of financial transparency as a non-profit.

However, HKFP’s expansion was hindered for a year by a government visa refusal, and the newsroom now faces rising costs and declining revenue amid a population exodus, waning interest in local news and new PayPal requirements.

Despite a years-long funding crisis in media, we have vowed never to install a paywall and we rely on our monthly Patrons to help keep HKFP free to read for those who can’t afford to chip in. The price of a weekly coffee will help us keep the lights on and return to sustainability.

We accept most payment methods – join us as a HK$150+ per month contributor, and receive a free tote bag and pen.