Beijing imposed a national security law after large and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019. (AFP) — Hong Kong’s security chief warned the city’s media union against “misusing” its position Friday, the day before it was due to hold committee elections. The financial hub’s press freedom ranking has plummeted since Beijing imposed a wide-ranging national security law in 2020, and the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) has come under mounting pressure from officials in recent years. Beijing imposed a national security law after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019, and Hong Kong has since introduced its own homegrown security law as well. However, many outlets have disbanded since the national security law was enacted, with Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison in December for foreign collusion and seditious publication.