Fierce Newspaper Running Low On Paper and Ink

Michael Hedges June 21, 2021 - Follow on Twitter

Cynics often expound dryly on public unwillingness to support independent news outlets. Sometimes this is couched as indifference to press freedom. Or folks only want to be entertained, thus firmly attached en masse to social media portals or streaming video channels. This systemic lack of confidence in the public, say social psychologists, stems from low self-esteem. Go figure.

Citizens of Hong Kong lined up last Friday (June 18) to buy copies of Apple Daily. The staff decided to increase the print-run to 500,000 copies, more than five-times usual, anticipating demand. So much for the argument that people won’t pay for news. Apple Daily executives were unable to make this decision personally as several were in jail.

"You never know when this newspaper will die," said one staff member who preferred not to be identified, reported Reuters (June 18). "As Hong Kongers, we need to preserve the history. Hang in there as long as we can. Although the road is rough, we still need to walk it, as there's no other road.” Another said it was the first time he bought a newspaper in 20 years. Kiosks in central Hong Kong sold out by midday Friday.

A day earlier (June 17) a bafflingly huge security force of 500 officers raided the Apple Daily newsroom and offices. Five company executives and directors were taken away; executive editor Cheung Chi-wai, chief editor Ryan Law, deputy chief editor Chan Puiman, publisher and Next Digital chief executive Cheung Kim-hung and COO Chow Tat-kuen. “Over 30 pieces of articles” caused offence, said senior police superintendent Li Kwai-wah at a subsequent press conference, reported Al Jazeera (June 17). The detained individuals “played a very, very important role” in publishing references to sanctions on the Hong Kong authorities and “colluding with foreign forces.” Details were left quite vague though the episode is notable for being the first time Hong Kong authorities brought content-related charges against Apple Daily. Security officers removed digital devices belonging to employees, who were barred from entering the premises.

The great and good advocates of civil liberties and press freedom expressed solidarity with Apple Daily and its workers. Hong Kong and Chinese actions "further demonstrate how the national security law is being used to stifle media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong," European Union spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali, in a statement. “Efforts to stifle media freedom and to restrict the free flow of information not only undermine Hong Kong’s democratic institutions but they also hurt Hong Kong’s credibility and viability as an international hub,” offered US State Department spokesperson Ned Price at a regular press conference (June 17). "The Hong Kong government's repeated use of an infamous law against the media is beyond belief for a democratic country,” said Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which monitors China relations. “Once again, national security is being used as a catch-all to silence critics in Hong Kong said Amnesty International Asia-Pacific Regional Director Yamini Mishra, in a statement.

Chinese authorities, expectedly, remain undeterred. “Freedom of the press is not a shield for illegal activities,” said a government statement, quoted by Bloomberg (June 17). “No matter what kind of professional status and background they have, no matter what kind of support they have behind them, anyone who violates the Hong Kong National Security Law and relevant laws will be severely punished by the law.”

Founder and publisher Jimmy Lai has been in jail since last August under allegations of financial misconduct. His financial assets - bank accounts and shares in Next Digital - were “frozen” under Hong Kong’s notorious “security law” in May. Quite obviously, this was meant to push Apple Daily and its parent company out of business or into compliance. The National Security Law was imposed on Hong Kong by Chinese authorities a year ago (June 30 2020) to thwart public demonstrations. Mr. Lai faces another trial in July, life imprisonment a possibility.

Hong Kong chief magistrate Victor So denied bail to Ryan Law and Cheung Kim Hung after a Saturday arraignment, reported AFP (June 20). He cited the courts’ belief "that the defendants will continue to commit acts endangering national security.” Magistrate So allowed reporting of the bail decision but nothing about charges presented beyond “collusion with a foreign country.” The three other executives were granted bail.

Still Apple Daily reporters gathered outside the courtroom to make their presence known. "At first, authorities said the national security law would only target a tiny number of people," said one to AFP. "But what has happened showed us that is nonsense.” The employees, said another, treat “everyday like it is our last.”

The last days of Apple Daily may come within “a few weeks,” said a column in the newspaper, noted Reuters (July 20). "The freezing of the assets of the three companies not only affects payrolls, but also normal newspaper operations.” At the first of the week, the company intends asking for release of the cash assets. Failing that, it will seek relief in the courts. Meanwhile, said the column, stocks of paper and ink are being “reviewed.”

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• Hot Topics - Media in China

• Hot Topics - Press/Media Freedom

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