Episode 131 with Mark Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation

In this episode, I speak with Mark Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. Raised in the U.S., Mark developed a deep interest in global affairs early on, which shaped his path as a journalist and editor. After studying economics and journalism, he moved to Hong Kong in the early 1990s and went on to lead major media outlets, including the South China Morning Post, during some of the city's most pivotal years.

We discuss how Hong Kong influenced his worldview, his shift from journalist to advocate, and the mounting threats to press freedom. Mark also talks about his new book, The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's Most Feared Critic, and why Lai’s story is so important today. We end with thoughts on the global struggle for democracy and what Mark appreciates about life on the North Fork.