Make a short summary of this article: https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-media-changes-press-f4960fa39ff7f06e171a0ce88d1e9151 , consisting of maximum four sentences.
Since the imposition of the 2020 National Security Law, Hong Kong’s once-freewheeling media landscape has drastically narrowed due to forced shutdowns of pro-democracy outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News. Journalists now navigate a restrictive environment defined by “red lines” and increasing self-censorship, as reporting once considered routine is now prosecuted as sedition or foreign collusion. While the government maintains that these laws are necessary for stability, international monitors have noted a precipitous decline in the city’s press-freedom rankings and a chilling effect on local reporting.
Date: January 12, 2026. Source: apnews.com