The first sentencing on July 30 established the principle that language alone can be punished as illegal if interpreted as secessionist. The law's most dramatic use so far has been against the senior leadership of Apple Daily, Hong Kong's most widely read tabloid and one of the most outspoken critics of its government.
Public distrust of the mainstream media could fuel greater reliance on social media as a news source, deepening political polarisation.
In the long term, narrowing the range of views expressed in the mainstream media could subtly influence public opinion in Beijing's favour.
There is a small risk of lone-wolf or small-scale, organised political violence against government targets.
The US government may put more pressure on US firms and institutions to scale back their presence in Hong Kong.
US companies (others less so) may reduce their presence in Hong Kong to avoid mutually exclusive legal responsibilities around sanctions.
