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Hong Kong Independent Outlet Struggles for Survival

Without 100 new subscribers by October, Hong Kong Feature says it faces closure — yet another existential threat to vital investigative journalism amid political pressure on media.
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HK Feature (誌) cover of their August issue.

HK Feature (誌), an outlet focusing on investigative journalism and local community stories that was founded by journalist Kwan Chun-hoi in July 2019 amid the anti-extradition bill protests and unrest, is facing an uncertain financial future due to declining membership amid economic challenges and Hong Kong’s broader crackdown on independent media seeking to report authentic stories.

The outlet, which won an Honorable Mention in the Excellence in Feature Writing category from the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) in 2025, said that without immediate support it would be forced to drastically cut frontline reporting. HK Feature’s investigative work has covered human rights, labor issues, and cultural preservation — shedding light on stories often overlooked by mainstream media. 

Commercial pressures like those facing HK Feature have compounded already challenging times for independent journalism in Hong Kong. The outlet said it would need to find 100 new paying subscribers by October this year to survive and continue its transformation into a broader public platform for Hong Kong residents. If you want to support the outlet, click here. 

Dalia Parete is a researcher for the China Media Project and coordinates data and mapping for Lingua Sinica, CMP’s online resource on Chinese-language media globally. She studies PRC efforts to influence media integrity across local contexts. Having worked at EUISS in Paris and at RUSI and IISS in London, she also specializes in Chinese foreign policy and Taiwan studies. She holds a master’s degree from SOAS (China and International Politics) and LSE (International Relations).

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