Press Freedom Day: 15 ways to support HKFP, and why we need your help in 2024
Hong Kong Free Press
Dear readers,
On International Press Freedom Day, the HKFP team remains committed to reporting, on-the-ground, in one of the world’s most challenging, and rapidly-changing media environments.
Nevertheless, our newsroom is facing a funding situation in 2024 whereby our expansion to nine team members coincided with a decline in regular Patron backers, resulting in two years of record losses. During this time, we’ve widened coverage of key court cases, deepened original reporting, launched a podcast, hired our first photographer, won several awards, and gained the Trust Project hallmark.
HKFP now has a year to correct course financially. Having sought to make savings internally, we will soon launch a new range of advertising options to generate new income, alongside new incentives to join us an HKFP monthly donor.
We remain the city’s most financially transparent news outlet – sustained by an average of HK$203/month from 895 monthly Patrons – with 80 per cent of spending going towards paying local journalists.
To close the funding gap, we need to raise HK$120,000 more per month, or bring on around 1,000 new Patrons. Here are 15 ways to support our newsroom,: support.hongkongfp.com.
If you’ve never contributed to a newspaper before, please help keep HKFP free for those who can’t afford to donate. And you’re not in a position to support us this time, please help spread the word. Below are a set of graphics we would welcome you to share on social media this Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of HKFP’s work and ways to safeguard independent media in the city.
Thank you once again for your readership and support!
Help us spread the word on Press Freedom Day
If you’re unable to support us this time, please left-click on a promo to save, and share them, across your social media accounts, linking to support.hongkongfp.com – thank you!
15 Ways to support HKFP’s newsroom in 2024
Donate online via card or PayPal
The most convenient, and preferred, method of donation is by card. One-off or monthly contributions can be made with Visa, Mastercard, or Apple Pay/Google Pay via Stripe on our website: support.hongkongfp.com.
Donate by cheque
Cheques of up to HK$50,000 may be made payable to Hong Kong Free Press Limited and posted – along with your full name and address to: HKFP, The Hive Kennedy Town, 6/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. [Contributions are confidential – a paper-trail is required for our accountancy records.]
Donate via HSBC PayMe, Pay & Go or Octopus
Scroll down to scan our QR codes and make an HSBC PayMe, Octopus or Pay & Go digital payment. Please include your full name and email address so we may accept your contribution.
Donate by bank transfer/FPS
For bank transfers, please email a screenshot or phone photo of the receipt/confirmation to [email protected], after you have made arrangements. Supporters may also set up a regular standing order/direct debit with a form from your bank: HSBC, Standard Chartered, or Hang Seng.
Faster Payment Service (FPS):
Our local HSBC account details:
- Account name: Hong Kong Free Press Limited. Account no: 817887532-838
- Bank name: HSBC Hong Kong. Bank address: 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.
- Bank code: 004. Branch number: 817. SWIFT address: HSBCHKHHHKH
Contributions are confidential – a paper-trail is required for our internal accountancy records.
Donate spare coins
Hoarding a jar of coins? Donate spare change at Coin Dragon machines around the city.
Donate gear
We welcome contributions of new computer or camera equipment. Please get in touch if you can support us.
Buy HKFP merchandise
Show your support for press freedom with HKFP merchandise.
Advertise with us
Support us and promote your business or cause at the same time. Request our rate card and consider our affordable range of digital marketing solutions.
HKFP is powered Patrons – our community of monthly donors.
Why join us as an HKFP Patron?
- 🔎 Transparent & efficient: As a non-profit, we are externally audited each year, publishing our income/outgoings annually, as the city’s most transparent news outlet.
- 🔒 Accurate & accountable: Our reporting is governed by a strict Ethics Code. We are 100% independent, and not answerable to any tycoon, mainland owners or shareholders. Check out our latest Annual Report, and help support press freedom.
- 💰 It’s fast, secure & easy: We accept most payment methods – cancel anytime, and receive a free tote bag and pen if you contribute HK$150/month or more.
Donations-in-kind
For HKFP donors who wish to target their contribution, offer financial support indirectly, or who wish to see instant results, our newsroom welcomes donations-in-kind to help cover essential operating costs. Make an equivalent contribution, or simply request invoices are rerouted straight to you.
| Newsroom cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Cover the cost of HKFP’s newsroom/office. | HK$360,000 |
| Boost HKFP’s video output by enabling access to AFP news wire video clips. | HK$20,000 |
| Sponsor all AFP news wire service, including text and photos. | HK$40,000 |
| Sponsor the cost of a junior desk reporter for a year (inc. salary, MPF, insurance). | HK$300,000 |
| Take on the cost of our Quickbooks accounting software. | HK$2,322 |
| Sponsor our Mailchimp newsletter software. | HK$10,710 |
| Sponsor health insurance for all staff. | HK$110,000 |
| Cover our Google work apps costs. | HK$20,307 |
Sponsor our podcast
Sponsor an entire 8+ episode series of HKFP Yum Cha as our sole partner. Promote your business, products, service or campaign directly to listeners at a flat rate for the second season. Contact us for details.