The recent demise of Undergrad, the University of Hong Kong's student magazine, marks a significant moment in the city's political and social history. This publication, which has weathered numerous storms over its 74-year lifespan, has now succumbed to the very forces it once chronicled and championed.
What makes this story particularly intriguing is the magazine's unique role in shaping Hong Kong's student activism and political discourse. Established in the 1950s, Undergrad was more than just a student publication; it was a platform for dissent, a catalyst for change, and a chronicler of Hong Kong's turbulent political landscape. Its pages were filled with the spirit of rebellion, from the Diaoyu Islands protests to the early anti-police corruption movements.
Personally, I find it fascinating how Undergrad mirrored the evolution of Hong Kong's political consciousness. Its transition from an English-language publication to a Chinese one, Hok Yuen, signifies a shift in the city's cultural identity and its growing assertiveness. This was a magazine that not only reported on social movements but also actively participated in them, a rare feat in the world of student journalism.
The magazine's most controversial moment came in 2014 with the publication of 'Hong Kong Nation: Fate Self-Determination'. This feature, and its subsequent expansion into a book, advocated for a political stance that was, and still is, highly sensitive. It's no surprise that it attracted the attention of the then-Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, who publicly criticized the magazine. This incident underscores the power of student media and the potential for young voices to challenge the status quo.
However, the inability to recruit new editors for the 2026 term, leading to the magazine's closure, is a stark reminder of the changing times. Student activism, once a vibrant force in Hong Kong, seems to be facing an ebb. This could be due to various factors, including the tightening of national security laws and the potential chilling effect on free speech. The purging of politically sensitive books from public libraries in 2021 is a clear sign of this shift.
In my opinion, the end of Undergrad is not just the end of a magazine but also a symbolic closure of an era. It prompts us to reflect on the state of student activism, the role of media in shaping political discourse, and the evolving nature of free speech in Hong Kong. The magazine's legacy is a reminder that student voices have the power to influence, challenge, and shape the future of their societies.
As we bid farewell to Undergrad, we are left with a sense of both loss and inspiration. It's a reminder that the tides of history are ever-shifting, and the role of student media in navigating these tides is more crucial than ever.
