I arrived in Hong Kong in 1997, expecting to stay for a few years at most. But like so many transplants to this amazing city, my roots grew fast and deep. I’ve spent the most wonderful years of my life here, working with the tremendously talented students and staff of HKU Journalism, witnessing the birth of my daughter, and raising her with Lion Rock spirit. I love Hong Kong. I am a Hongkonger.
 
It’s because of the experience Hong Kong has given me that a few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: an endowed chair in business journalism at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School, where I will also oversee the Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. While I might be leaving Hong Kong, I plan on remaining connected with HKU and honouring the promise I make to all my students: as long as you follow my “rules for recommendations” I will write you as many recommendations or references you need. That’s a lifetime, global guarantee.
 
I will miss all of you, but I will always treasure the many happy memories I’ve had in Hong Kong. Wherever my family and I go, we will carry with us the spirit of the Lion Rock.

Jeff Timmermans
Director of Bachelor of Journalism Programme and Associate Professor of Practice

Work by our students along with those from Hong Kong Baptist University were chosen for the third annual Young Lenses exhibition at the Foreign Correspondents' Club that ran from 17-31 May. This year's theme was "Protest and Pandemic". Photographs by eight of our graduate and undergraduate students were featured--Vanesse Chan, Katherine Cheng, Jeff Cheung, Harvey Kong, Alvin Lam, Rhea Mogul, Teele Rebane and Zixu Wang.

The China Media Project has re-launched its research website, with new research categories on the international reach of Chinese media ("Going Global") and a new "CMP Dictionary" that defines key terms in Chinese political discourse. Visit their website to learn more.

Dr. Masato Kajimoto spoke at a three-day UNESCO webinar hosted by the Republic of Serbia on "Media and Information Literate Citizens: Think Critically, Click Wisely!" The event launched a new resource for educators and learners on media and information literacy developed in response to the disinfodemic. Masato took part in the "Policies and Practices: Futures of Media and Information Literacy" session on 27 April.

Dr. King-wa Fu was a panelist at a discussion co-organized by the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University journalism schools on 21 June about "Hong Kong Media Freedom Post-NSL". 

(19 May) Hong Kong Free Press: Facing up to the challenge: how Hong Kong’s mask manufacturers managed to survive the competition, by Gabriel Fung (BJ 2022) and Shirley Wang (BJ 2022)

(30 May ) South China Morning Post: Coronavirus: how China is taking a high-stakes bet on vaccine diplomacy in Latin America, by Geoffrey Knoell (MJ 2021)

(31 May) Hong Kong Free Press: Hong Kong Quidditch evolves from Harry Potter into inclusive sport, by Elvis Yu (MJ 2021)

(11 June) Bloomberg: Hong Kong to Start Censoring Films on National Security Grounds (Keith B. Richburg)

(17 June) RTHK News: John Lee's comments 'ominous': journalism lecturer (Sharron Fast)

(18 June) Agence-France Presse: Hong Kong media reel as security law targets democracy paper's reporting (Sharron Fast)

We're co-organizing a symposium with the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University journalism schools from 2-5pm on Wednesday, 7 July, to tackle questions about how we combat misinformation and disinformation in Hong Kong, whether legislation is the answer and explore alternatives. The event will be in-person at the HKU Faculty of Law Moot Court with simultaneous broadcast on Zoom. Info and registration here.