Stand News had completely "disregarded objective facts" and violated journalistic principles set out in international human rights conventions, the government said on Thursday, hours after two former editors of the online news platform were given jail terms for publishing seditious content.

A government spokesman stressed that journalists and members of the public can continue to "make comments or criticisms" that are based on facts, and to enjoy and exercise freedoms of the press and of speech without fear of unknowingly violating the law.

"Since the court has delivered its verdict for the case ... certain foreign media outlets or anti-China groups and politicians made comments which were not based on facts, with an intention to smear Hong Kong SAR," a statement read.

"We have repeatedly clarified and rebuked the accusations to set the record straight."