WSJ Fights Back: Calls Hong Kong Union Lawsuit "Extortion"

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has accused a Hong Kong journalists' union leader of abusing the legal system. The newspaper claims she filed a criminal complaint only after her large settlement demand was rejected. In court on Thursday, lawyers for the WSJ's publisher said Selina Cheng Kar-yue acted in "bad faith." They argued her lawsuit is driven by private interests, not principle. Cheng leads the Hong Kong Journalists Association. The case centers on Cheng's dismissal from the newspaper. She alleges the WSJ violated local labour laws. The company's lawyers told the court she first demanded HK$3 million (US$385,500) to settle the matter privately. They described this demand as "extortionate." According to the WSJ's legal team, Cheng only filed her criminal complaint after the company refused to pay the settlement. They argue this timing proves the legal action is an abuse of process. The court is now considering these arguments. The case highlights growing tensions between international media and local labour activists in Hong Kong.