WSJ Reporter Selina Cheng’s Dismissal Trial Continues, Focus Shifts to Redundancy Claims
Hong Kong – The trial of Selina Cheng, former Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter and chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), continued this week with Dow Jones asserting her termination was due to redundancy following a strategic shift in the newspaper’s operations. The case, which has raised concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong, centers on whether Cheng was unfairly dismissed due to her union activities.
Dow Jones Cites Restructuring and Redundancy
Rachael Brockman, Vice President of People for EMEA and APAC at Dow Jones International Limited, testified on March 12, 2026, that the company decided to relocate its reporting center from Hong Kong to Singapore in the first quarter of 2024. Brockman stated that the Hong Kong office headcount decreased from 13 reporters in December 2023 to just one by August 2025. Hong Kong Free Press reports that Brockman affirmed Cheng’s termination was a result of redundancy, based on her review of company records.
Dispute Over Union Involvement
Cheng alleges she was fired in July 2024 shortly after being elected chairperson of the HKJA, claiming the dismissal was linked to her union leadership role. Her legal team, led by barrister Nigel Kat, argues that her termination violated Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance, which protects individuals exercising their right to participate in trade union activities. The Associated Press details that Cheng testified her supervisor expressed concerns about her running for the union position.
Internal Discussions and Legal Counsel
Brockman testified she had limited involvement in the decision to terminate Cheng and primarily relied on documentation. She stated she did not discuss the matter with Cheng’s supervisor, Deborah Ball, or Gordon Fairclough, the WSJ’s world coverage chief who delivered the termination notice. Brockman also noted that while Dow Jones Asia’s Hong Kong-based lawyer, Andy Lau, manages all legal matters in the region, employment law questions are typically directed to attorneys at the company’s New York headquarters.
Company’s Position
Dow Jones maintains that Cheng’s termination was part of a broader restructuring and denies any attempt to deter her from her union activities. The company has suggested that financial compensation motivated Cheng’s lawsuit, a claim she refutes, stating her goal is to hold her former employer accountable. U.S. News & World Report provides further details on the company’s defense.
Trial Continues
The trial is ongoing, with proceedings continuing on Friday, March 13, 2026. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for press freedom and labor rights in Hong Kong.