Topline
Hong Kong media group Next Digital—which published the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily—will cease operations from July 1, the company told employees in an internal memo, a move that comes just a week after the company was forced to shut down the flagship paper following the arrests of senior editors and seizure of their assets.
A group of former Apple Daily Hong Kong journalists joined forces to produce a special edition of … [+]
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Key Facts
According to Reuters, the company’s internal memo to employees said financial assets linked to the company remained frozen under Hong Kong’s national security law.
The memo told employees that the road ahead was “difficult” but it urged them to “continue to move forward,” as the city’s authorities continue to go after journalists linked to the publication.
On Tuesday, the company announced that it had accepted a proposal to divest its subsidiary Amazing Sino, which publishes the online edition of Taiwan’s Apple Daily.
On Tuesday, the company announced that it had accepted a proposal to divest its subsidiary Amazing Sino, which publishes the online edition of Taiwan’s Apple Daily.
Key Background
Apple Daily ceased operations last week after government authorities blocked Next Digital from accessing its financial assets. The publisher’s frozen accounts roughly held HK$18 million ($2.3 million), Forbes previously reported. Earlier in the month, police raided the newspaper’s main office and arrested its chief editor and four other executives. Another senior journalist for the paper was arrested at the airport on Sunday as he was trying to leave the country. Next Digital’s founder Jimmy Lai is presently serving a combined 20-month jail term for his role in organizing two pro-democracy rallies across the city in 2019. He also faces charges under the national security law which could result in a life sentence if found guilty. Hong Kong’s draconian national security law—which has attracted international criticism and sanctions—was put in place last year as Beijing moved to exert more control on the city-state.
Crucial Quote
Hong Kong journalists have asked for more clarity on what constitutes a breach of the national security law, something the city’s government has been very opaque about. “We are still very confused as to what is the standard of committing a crime under the national security law. We are still worried that writing reports, comments or editorials would be evidence of committing crime,” Hong Kong Journalists Association Chairperson, Ronnie Chan, told government broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) earlier this week.
Further Reading
Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Paper Apple Daily Ceases Operations Week After Crackdown (Forbes)
Hong Kong Police Arrest Apple Daily’s Lead Columnist As He Attempts To Leave City (Forbes)
