#Censorship #PoliticalSuppression
#RTHK terminates the contract of critically acclaimed reporter #NabelaQoser
In Hong Kong, the public broadcaster RTHK refused to renew the contract of journalist Nabela Qoser, who is known for her professionalism and critical stance.
Since 2019, the pro-Beijing camp and figures have been attacking Qoser after she raised sharp questions during government press conferences.
Although the station has earlier announced that Qoser was wrongly accused by the complaints, RTHK reopened the investigation in October 2020. Citing the ongoing probe as a reason, RTHK terminated Qoser's civil service contract in January 2021, though she was employed in 2017. The public broadcaster further switched her to a 120-day contract, before terminaring it in May 2021.
Qoser has to leave the station by the end of May 2021.
Source: Stand News #May3
https://bit.ly/3vD3Ylr
#Journalism
#RTHK terminates the contract of critically acclaimed reporter #NabelaQoser
In Hong Kong, the public broadcaster RTHK refused to renew the contract of journalist Nabela Qoser, who is known for her professionalism and critical stance.
Since 2019, the pro-Beijing camp and figures have been attacking Qoser after she raised sharp questions during government press conferences.
Although the station has earlier announced that Qoser was wrongly accused by the complaints, RTHK reopened the investigation in October 2020. Citing the ongoing probe as a reason, RTHK terminated Qoser's civil service contract in January 2021, though she was employed in 2017. The public broadcaster further switched her to a 120-day contract, before terminaring it in May 2021.
Qoser has to leave the station by the end of May 2021.
Source: Stand News #May3
https://bit.ly/3vD3Ylr
#Journalism
#NeverGiveUp #Court
HK Journalist #BaoChoy to #Appeal: "I will regret for a lifetime if I give up pursuing justice"
On May 5, 2021, former #RTHK producer and award-winning journalist Bao Choy announced that she would appeal against her conviction. The Hong Kong court has previously ruled her guilty of giving "false declarations" in connection with a car plate license search she made for a news documentary on the 2019 Yuen Long gang attack.
"I will regret for a lifetime if I give up pursuing justice. I won't be able to sleep at night," Choy wrote. "As a media worker, reporting facts and speaking the truth have always been my mission. As my city is falling apart, I expect myself to live in reality, with sincerity, honesty and integrity."
Source: RTHK; Stand News #May05
https://bit.ly/3eT1NUb
#Journalism #Injustice #PoliticalProsecution #Censorship #WhiteTerror
#YuenLong721
HK Journalist #BaoChoy to #Appeal: "I will regret for a lifetime if I give up pursuing justice"
On May 5, 2021, former #RTHK producer and award-winning journalist Bao Choy announced that she would appeal against her conviction. The Hong Kong court has previously ruled her guilty of giving "false declarations" in connection with a car plate license search she made for a news documentary on the 2019 Yuen Long gang attack.
"I will regret for a lifetime if I give up pursuing justice. I won't be able to sleep at night," Choy wrote. "As a media worker, reporting facts and speaking the truth have always been my mission. As my city is falling apart, I expect myself to live in reality, with sincerity, honesty and integrity."
Source: RTHK; Stand News #May05
https://bit.ly/3eT1NUb
#Journalism #Injustice #PoliticalProsecution #Censorship #WhiteTerror
#YuenLong721
#Crackdown #Regime
Fighting Against #PoliticalSuppression: #AppleDaily Vows to Uphold Integrity and Defend Freedom
On May 14, 2021, the Hong Kong authorities cited Article 34 of the #NationalSecurityLaw for the first time and froze the personal assets of pro-democracy media tycoon #JimmyLai, who is currently jailed.
The Hong Kong Journalists' Association (#HKJA) decried the blatant threat imposed by the Hong Kong government to press freedom and the media industry.
Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29682
Veteran journalist #BruceLui, who is a senior lecturer in #journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University, pointed out that the goverment is likely to increase the intensity of the crackdown before July 1, 2021, the establishment day of the Hong Kong SAR.
Source: Apple Daily #May14
https://bit.ly/3ogugHA
#NeverGiveUp
Fighting Against #PoliticalSuppression: #AppleDaily Vows to Uphold Integrity and Defend Freedom
On May 14, 2021, the Hong Kong authorities cited Article 34 of the #NationalSecurityLaw for the first time and froze the personal assets of pro-democracy media tycoon #JimmyLai, who is currently jailed.
The Hong Kong Journalists' Association (#HKJA) decried the blatant threat imposed by the Hong Kong government to press freedom and the media industry.
Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29682
Veteran journalist #BruceLui, who is a senior lecturer in #journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University, pointed out that the goverment is likely to increase the intensity of the crackdown before July 1, 2021, the establishment day of the Hong Kong SAR.
Source: Apple Daily #May14
https://bit.ly/3ogugHA
#NeverGiveUp
#Recognition #PressFreedom
“7.21: Who Owns the Truth" wins #PressFreedomAward, but rejected by RTHK; producers accept award on behalf of production team
A documentary on an episode of RTHK‘s “Hong Kong Connection” titled “7.21 Who Owns the Truth”, has won the Television and Radio category of the Kam Yiu-yu Press Freedom Award.
The Awards Ceremony was held on April 15, 2021 by the Kam Yiu-yu Press Freedom Foundation, but RTHK refused to accept the award.
Only two RTHK contract staff attended the ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of the team. One of them was #BaoChoy Yuk-ling, the journalist who was convicted for making false statements in obtaining information while investigating the 7.21 attack, and another producer of the show, Cheng Sze-sze.
Choy said that these are tragic times where journalists cannot be publicly honored for their work, it “really reflects the situation of the industry and of Hong Kong right now”. Cheng said that journalists in Hong Kong feel like they are walking into a tunnel, "from light to darkness", and that the darkness may never end. Yet she hopes all journalists would know that “even though the tunnel is pitch black, there are many others in there with us”. She hopes that the media industry can stand together in solidarity, and "tell others that we are in the tunnel with them, walking alongside each other."
The Print and Online Category winner is awarded to Apple Daily’s series on illegal constructions at high-ranking police officers' residences. #AppleDaily’s Assistant Interview Director Alex Lam Wai-chung said that by next year, he isn't sure "whether there would still be Apple Daily, or ‘#HongKongConnection’, or even this award at all”, but he will continue to do his all that he can in remaining time, “one step at a time”.
Source: Stand News #Apr21
#RTHK #Journalism #721YuenLong #AwardWinning
https://bit.ly/3wzzt04
“7.21: Who Owns the Truth" wins #PressFreedomAward, but rejected by RTHK; producers accept award on behalf of production team
A documentary on an episode of RTHK‘s “Hong Kong Connection” titled “7.21 Who Owns the Truth”, has won the Television and Radio category of the Kam Yiu-yu Press Freedom Award.
The Awards Ceremony was held on April 15, 2021 by the Kam Yiu-yu Press Freedom Foundation, but RTHK refused to accept the award.
Only two RTHK contract staff attended the ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of the team. One of them was #BaoChoy Yuk-ling, the journalist who was convicted for making false statements in obtaining information while investigating the 7.21 attack, and another producer of the show, Cheng Sze-sze.
Choy said that these are tragic times where journalists cannot be publicly honored for their work, it “really reflects the situation of the industry and of Hong Kong right now”. Cheng said that journalists in Hong Kong feel like they are walking into a tunnel, "from light to darkness", and that the darkness may never end. Yet she hopes all journalists would know that “even though the tunnel is pitch black, there are many others in there with us”. She hopes that the media industry can stand together in solidarity, and "tell others that we are in the tunnel with them, walking alongside each other."
The Print and Online Category winner is awarded to Apple Daily’s series on illegal constructions at high-ranking police officers' residences. #AppleDaily’s Assistant Interview Director Alex Lam Wai-chung said that by next year, he isn't sure "whether there would still be Apple Daily, or ‘#HongKongConnection’, or even this award at all”, but he will continue to do his all that he can in remaining time, “one step at a time”.
Source: Stand News #Apr21
#RTHK #Journalism #721YuenLong #AwardWinning
https://bit.ly/3wzzt04
#NeverGiveUp #Hope
Hong Kong Journalist #BaoChoy Awarded #NiemanFellowship by #HarvardUniversity
The Hong Kong court convicted former #RTHK producer and award-winning journalist Bao Choy Yuk-ling of "false declaration" when checking the license plates for an investigative report. The court's ruling sparked off enormous outcry among journalists and citizens in Hong Kong.
Choy pleaded not guilty and is applying for a judicial review. The episode "7.21: Who Owns the Truth" produced by Choy for RTHK's news documentary program "#HongKongConnection" has recently received the prestigious Kam Yiu-yu Press Freedom Award. The episode investigates the Yuen Long mob attack on passersbys and pro-democracy citizens during the Anti-ELAB protests in Hong Kong on July 21, 2019.
On May 25, 2021, Choy has been awarded the Nieman Fellowship, an internationally-renowned journalism scholarship, and will attend Harvard University for a year with 21 other recipients from Washington Post, The Guardian, Associated Press and others around the world.
Established in 1938, the fellowship is one of the oldest in the journalism industry, funding over 1,600 distinguished media workers over the years to study and collaborate with peers and experts at Harvard University. As a member of the fellowship's "Class of 2022", Choi plans to explore how independent investigation and media can be developed and sustained under totalitarian regime.
Source: Stand News #May25
https://beta.thestandnews.com/society/蔡玉玲獲尼曼獎學金-將赴哈佛進修-研究媒體如何在獨裁政權下生存限制
#Journalism #Professionalism #Integrity
Hong Kong Journalist #BaoChoy Awarded #NiemanFellowship by #HarvardUniversity
The Hong Kong court convicted former #RTHK producer and award-winning journalist Bao Choy Yuk-ling of "false declaration" when checking the license plates for an investigative report. The court's ruling sparked off enormous outcry among journalists and citizens in Hong Kong.
Choy pleaded not guilty and is applying for a judicial review. The episode "7.21: Who Owns the Truth" produced by Choy for RTHK's news documentary program "#HongKongConnection" has recently received the prestigious Kam Yiu-yu Press Freedom Award. The episode investigates the Yuen Long mob attack on passersbys and pro-democracy citizens during the Anti-ELAB protests in Hong Kong on July 21, 2019.
On May 25, 2021, Choy has been awarded the Nieman Fellowship, an internationally-renowned journalism scholarship, and will attend Harvard University for a year with 21 other recipients from Washington Post, The Guardian, Associated Press and others around the world.
Established in 1938, the fellowship is one of the oldest in the journalism industry, funding over 1,600 distinguished media workers over the years to study and collaborate with peers and experts at Harvard University. As a member of the fellowship's "Class of 2022", Choi plans to explore how independent investigation and media can be developed and sustained under totalitarian regime.
Source: Stand News #May25
https://beta.thestandnews.com/society/蔡玉玲獲尼曼獎學金-將赴哈佛進修-研究媒體如何在獨裁政權下生存限制
#Journalism #Professionalism #Integrity
#Respect #Conscience
#RTHK Programme Staff Union thank Reporter #NabelaQoser for Speaking out for justice
RTHK’s Assistant Programme Officer Nabela Qoser, who has repeatedly asked sharp questions at government press conferences, did not receive a contract renewal and May 28, 2021 was her last day at work.
The RTHK Programme Staff Union posted a message on Facebook, stating that politics now overrides professionalism, journalists asking questions has now become a sin. In the post, they thanked Qoser for standing her ground and speaking out for justice.
It is reported that Nabela Qoser wanted to hand out going-away gifts to colleagues at RTHK Broadcasting House, but was stopped by security. In the end, she was only able to enter the building under the supervision of administrative staff and security guards.
Source: Stand News #May28
https://bit.ly/3fuv4px
#HongKongJournalist #Journalism #PoliticalSuppression
#RTHK Programme Staff Union thank Reporter #NabelaQoser for Speaking out for justice
RTHK’s Assistant Programme Officer Nabela Qoser, who has repeatedly asked sharp questions at government press conferences, did not receive a contract renewal and May 28, 2021 was her last day at work.
The RTHK Programme Staff Union posted a message on Facebook, stating that politics now overrides professionalism, journalists asking questions has now become a sin. In the post, they thanked Qoser for standing her ground and speaking out for justice.
It is reported that Nabela Qoser wanted to hand out going-away gifts to colleagues at RTHK Broadcasting House, but was stopped by security. In the end, she was only able to enter the building under the supervision of administrative staff and security guards.
Source: Stand News #May28
https://bit.ly/3fuv4px
#HongKongJournalist #Journalism #PoliticalSuppression
#WhiteTerror #FrozenAsset
#Reuters: HK’s Pro-democracy Newspaper #AppleDaily to shut within days according to #JimmyLai adviser
//Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut “in a matter of days” after authorities froze the company’s assets under a national security law, Mark Simon, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on June 21, 2021.
The closure of Apple Daily would undermine the former British colony's reputation as an open and free society and send a warning to other companies that could be accused of colluding with a foreign country, media advocacy groups said.
Next Digital (0282.HK), publisher of the top-selling 26-year-old newspaper, would hold a board meeting on Monday [June 21, 2021] to discuss how to move forward after its lines of credit were frozen, the adviser, Mark Simon, said.
"Vendors tried to put money into our accounts and were rejected," he said by phone from the United States.
"We thought we'd be able to make it to the end of the month. It's just getting harder and harder. It's essentially a matter of days."
Apple Daily said on Sunday the freezing of its assets had left the liberal newspaper with cash for “a few weeks” for normal operations.”
In May, Reuters reported exclusively that Hong Kong's security chief had sent letters to tycoon Lai and branches of HSBC and Citibank threatening up to seven years' jail for any dealings with the billionaire's accounts in the city...
Authorities are also prosecuting three companies related to Apple Daily for alleged collusion with a foreign country and have frozen HK$18 million ($2.3 million) of their assets...
Simon told Reuters it had now become impossible to conduct banking operations in the global financial hub.
"We can't bank. Some vendors tried to do that as a favour ... and it was rejected."
The newspaper has come under increasing pressure since owner and Beijing critic Lai, who is now in jail, was arrested under the national security law last August and has since had some of his assets frozen...
Simon said some reporters had received threatening phone calls from unknown sources.
"Our staff are now just worried about personal safety," he said...//
Read full article:
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/exclusive-adviser-jailed-hk-tycoon-jimmy-lai-says-apple-daily-shut-within-days-2021-06-21/
Source: Reuters #Jun21
#PoliceState #NationalSecurityLaw #PressFreedom #HongKongMedia #Journalism #PoliticalSuppression #MarkSimon #FreeJimmy
====
Related stories:
[June 17, 2021] HK Police Raids Apple Daily Again and Arrests 3 Editors and 2 Executives
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30130
"We Will Press On": Apple Daily Prints 500,000 Copies Despite Police Raid
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30142
Hongkongers Rush to Support Apple Daily After Midnight
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30140
[June 18, 2021] HK Police Charges Apple Daily Editor-in-chief and #NextDigital CEO with #NationalSecurityLaw
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30149
[21 June, 2021]
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Apple Daily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30172
#Reuters: HK’s Pro-democracy Newspaper #AppleDaily to shut within days according to #JimmyLai adviser
//Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut “in a matter of days” after authorities froze the company’s assets under a national security law, Mark Simon, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on June 21, 2021.
The closure of Apple Daily would undermine the former British colony's reputation as an open and free society and send a warning to other companies that could be accused of colluding with a foreign country, media advocacy groups said.
Next Digital (0282.HK), publisher of the top-selling 26-year-old newspaper, would hold a board meeting on Monday [June 21, 2021] to discuss how to move forward after its lines of credit were frozen, the adviser, Mark Simon, said.
"Vendors tried to put money into our accounts and were rejected," he said by phone from the United States.
"We thought we'd be able to make it to the end of the month. It's just getting harder and harder. It's essentially a matter of days."
Apple Daily said on Sunday the freezing of its assets had left the liberal newspaper with cash for “a few weeks” for normal operations.”
In May, Reuters reported exclusively that Hong Kong's security chief had sent letters to tycoon Lai and branches of HSBC and Citibank threatening up to seven years' jail for any dealings with the billionaire's accounts in the city...
Authorities are also prosecuting three companies related to Apple Daily for alleged collusion with a foreign country and have frozen HK$18 million ($2.3 million) of their assets...
Simon told Reuters it had now become impossible to conduct banking operations in the global financial hub.
"We can't bank. Some vendors tried to do that as a favour ... and it was rejected."
The newspaper has come under increasing pressure since owner and Beijing critic Lai, who is now in jail, was arrested under the national security law last August and has since had some of his assets frozen...
Simon said some reporters had received threatening phone calls from unknown sources.
"Our staff are now just worried about personal safety," he said...//
Read full article:
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/exclusive-adviser-jailed-hk-tycoon-jimmy-lai-says-apple-daily-shut-within-days-2021-06-21/
Source: Reuters #Jun21
#PoliceState #NationalSecurityLaw #PressFreedom #HongKongMedia #Journalism #PoliticalSuppression #MarkSimon #FreeJimmy
====
Related stories:
[June 17, 2021] HK Police Raids Apple Daily Again and Arrests 3 Editors and 2 Executives
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30130
"We Will Press On": Apple Daily Prints 500,000 Copies Despite Police Raid
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30142
Hongkongers Rush to Support Apple Daily After Midnight
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30140
[June 18, 2021] HK Police Charges Apple Daily Editor-in-chief and #NextDigital CEO with #NationalSecurityLaw
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30149
[21 June, 2021]
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Apple Daily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30172
Reuters
EXCLUSIVE HK’s Apple Daily to shut within days, says Jimmy Lai adviser
Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut "in a matter of days" after authorities froze the company's assets under a national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday.
#WhiteTerror #PoliticalProsecution
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Pro-Democracy #AppleDaily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
At around 15:45 on June 21, 2021 in Hong Kong, the executive board of Apple Daily came to a decision: The city's only Chinese-language pro-democracy newspaper will be shut down. The exact closing date will be announced on Friday, 25 June, 2021, which would possibly be the last operating day of the 26-year-old top selling newspaper. In other words, Saturday, 26 June could be the last time for the newspaper to appear.
The Hong Kong police raided the newspaper office with over 500 officers on June 17, 2021 and arrested 3 editors and 2 executives for "colluding with foreign powers" under #NationalSecurityLaw. Among them, editor-in-chief #RyanLaw and #NextDigital CEO #CheungKimHung were charged with breaching the national security law.
Apple Daily founder #JimmyLai has been arrested and detained since January 2021.
The Hong Kong government has been freezing the assets of Apple Daily and its connecting companies, to block the newspaper's from operating and paying salary. #MarkSimon, an adviser to Jimmy Lai, told Reuters that "vendors tried to put money into our accounts and were rejected".
According to sources, following the decision of the board on June 21, the management of Apple Daily notified all its staff of the possibility of resignation with immediate effect. The newspaper hopes to issue adequate compensation salary to its employees, but it depends whether the government will allow the company to do so. The board has issued a letter to the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government regarding the matter, demanding a reply on Friday, June 25.
The management said they understand the potential risks under the current circumstances and will let their staff to make their own decision. The management thanks their staff for their contribution and professionalism in the newspaper's continuous fight for press freedom.
Source: Apple Daily; Now News; Stand News #Jun21
https://bit.ly/3xAHW3J
https://bit.ly/3qdAf0U
#PoliceState #NationalSecurityLaw #PressFreedom #HongKongMedia #Journalism #PoliticalSuppression #FrozenAsset #FreeJimmy #SaveAppleDaily #SupportAppleDaily
====
Timeline:
[June 17, 2021] HK Police Raids Apple Daily Again and Arrests 3 Editors and 2 Executives
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30130
"We Will Press On": Apple Daily Prints 500,000 Copies Despite Police Raid
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30142
Hongkongers Rush to Support Apple Daily After Midnight
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30140
[June 18, 2021] HK Police Charges Apple Daily Editor-in-chief and #NextDigital CEO with #NationalSecurityLaw
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30149
[June 21, 2021]
HK’s Pro-democracy Newspaper #AppleDaily to shut within days according to #JimmyLai adviser
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30169
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Pro-Democracy #AppleDaily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
At around 15:45 on June 21, 2021 in Hong Kong, the executive board of Apple Daily came to a decision: The city's only Chinese-language pro-democracy newspaper will be shut down. The exact closing date will be announced on Friday, 25 June, 2021, which would possibly be the last operating day of the 26-year-old top selling newspaper. In other words, Saturday, 26 June could be the last time for the newspaper to appear.
The Hong Kong police raided the newspaper office with over 500 officers on June 17, 2021 and arrested 3 editors and 2 executives for "colluding with foreign powers" under #NationalSecurityLaw. Among them, editor-in-chief #RyanLaw and #NextDigital CEO #CheungKimHung were charged with breaching the national security law.
Apple Daily founder #JimmyLai has been arrested and detained since January 2021.
The Hong Kong government has been freezing the assets of Apple Daily and its connecting companies, to block the newspaper's from operating and paying salary. #MarkSimon, an adviser to Jimmy Lai, told Reuters that "vendors tried to put money into our accounts and were rejected".
According to sources, following the decision of the board on June 21, the management of Apple Daily notified all its staff of the possibility of resignation with immediate effect. The newspaper hopes to issue adequate compensation salary to its employees, but it depends whether the government will allow the company to do so. The board has issued a letter to the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government regarding the matter, demanding a reply on Friday, June 25.
The management said they understand the potential risks under the current circumstances and will let their staff to make their own decision. The management thanks their staff for their contribution and professionalism in the newspaper's continuous fight for press freedom.
Source: Apple Daily; Now News; Stand News #Jun21
https://bit.ly/3xAHW3J
https://bit.ly/3qdAf0U
#PoliceState #NationalSecurityLaw #PressFreedom #HongKongMedia #Journalism #PoliticalSuppression #FrozenAsset #FreeJimmy #SaveAppleDaily #SupportAppleDaily
====
Timeline:
[June 17, 2021] HK Police Raids Apple Daily Again and Arrests 3 Editors and 2 Executives
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30130
"We Will Press On": Apple Daily Prints 500,000 Copies Despite Police Raid
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30142
Hongkongers Rush to Support Apple Daily After Midnight
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30140
[June 18, 2021] HK Police Charges Apple Daily Editor-in-chief and #NextDigital CEO with #NationalSecurityLaw
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30149
[June 21, 2021]
HK’s Pro-democracy Newspaper #AppleDaily to shut within days according to #JimmyLai adviser
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30169
立場新聞 Stand News
【國安拘蘋果高層】壹傳媒董事會周五商討是否停止營運 員工流傳周六或為最後見報日 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
保安局上周四(17 日)引用《港區國安法》,凍結與《蘋果》有關的 3 間公司的資產,涉及款 1,800 萬。早...
#OpinionArticle #SaveAppleDaily
Former Apple Daily Staff Bids Farewell to the Newspaper
[Editor's note: The following was written by veteran media worker Terry Yeung, who used to work at Apple Daily and is now publishing regularly on different social media platforms. Yeung recounted his visit to the Apple Daily office after learning the news of the newspaper's forced closure on June 21, 2021]
"After receiving the news, I broke into tears during a meeting. I bought some cakes and hurried back to my 'old home'.
I left Next Digital for some time, but this place is always my alma mater.
Entering through the gate, I bumped into Ms S, who hired me seven years ago. She took me in and let a dumb kid have his first taste in the media industry.
I just took this photo with a banner that writes “Great Work, colleagues!”. It was hanged on the second floor, visible from the lobby.
Ms C of Finance News rushed over for a hug. Her eyes were all red.
Ms F and Mr. H from the same team patted me on the shoulder. The silence said all.
I visited the 'Apple Seed' team and greeted Ms I, who was burying herself in work in order to make sure every colleague is well.
Animal News reporter Ms A hugged me as soon as she saw me. We have known each other for seven years.
I ran into Manager B, a very good friend of mine. We used to go buy siu mei at the Canteen on the fifth floor together.
The cashier screamed when she spotted me. Another familar face from the canteen cried out: “Why are you coming back? Are you paying me a visiting?”
Some former colleagues were taking group photos in the lobby, while some others were still busy in meetings as usual.
If there is still Apply Daily tomorrow, there are articles to be written and printed.
This is the daily routine in Next Digital--things got to be done. It is a sad moment, but there is no time to be immersed in sadness.
Today, many people cried while hugging me. After that, they continued to write articles and work in silence.
As long as Apple Daily is still here, there are news to be published.
The office of Mr. Cheung Kim-hung is vacant.
The seat of Mr. Lai Chee-ying is empty.
The staff of the newspaper vow to work until the end, until they can report news no more.
It is my honour to have been a part of Apple Daily."
Source: Terry’s Lazy Class #Jun21
https://www.facebook.com/108102623935984/posts/529270185152557/
#PoliceState #NationalSecurityLaw #PressFreedom #HongKongMedia #Journalism #FreeJimmy #SaveAppleDaily
====
Related News:
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Apple Daily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30172
Voices are Disappearing in Face of "Stability and Prosperity"
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30175
Former Apple Daily Staff Bids Farewell to the Newspaper
[Editor's note: The following was written by veteran media worker Terry Yeung, who used to work at Apple Daily and is now publishing regularly on different social media platforms. Yeung recounted his visit to the Apple Daily office after learning the news of the newspaper's forced closure on June 21, 2021]
"After receiving the news, I broke into tears during a meeting. I bought some cakes and hurried back to my 'old home'.
I left Next Digital for some time, but this place is always my alma mater.
Entering through the gate, I bumped into Ms S, who hired me seven years ago. She took me in and let a dumb kid have his first taste in the media industry.
I just took this photo with a banner that writes “Great Work, colleagues!”. It was hanged on the second floor, visible from the lobby.
Ms C of Finance News rushed over for a hug. Her eyes were all red.
Ms F and Mr. H from the same team patted me on the shoulder. The silence said all.
I visited the 'Apple Seed' team and greeted Ms I, who was burying herself in work in order to make sure every colleague is well.
Animal News reporter Ms A hugged me as soon as she saw me. We have known each other for seven years.
I ran into Manager B, a very good friend of mine. We used to go buy siu mei at the Canteen on the fifth floor together.
The cashier screamed when she spotted me. Another familar face from the canteen cried out: “Why are you coming back? Are you paying me a visiting?”
Some former colleagues were taking group photos in the lobby, while some others were still busy in meetings as usual.
If there is still Apply Daily tomorrow, there are articles to be written and printed.
This is the daily routine in Next Digital--things got to be done. It is a sad moment, but there is no time to be immersed in sadness.
Today, many people cried while hugging me. After that, they continued to write articles and work in silence.
As long as Apple Daily is still here, there are news to be published.
The office of Mr. Cheung Kim-hung is vacant.
The seat of Mr. Lai Chee-ying is empty.
The staff of the newspaper vow to work until the end, until they can report news no more.
It is my honour to have been a part of Apple Daily."
Source: Terry’s Lazy Class #Jun21
https://www.facebook.com/108102623935984/posts/529270185152557/
#PoliceState #NationalSecurityLaw #PressFreedom #HongKongMedia #Journalism #FreeJimmy #SaveAppleDaily
====
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#PoliceState #Journalism
#AppleDaily Journalists Confused by Hidden Message Reportedly Sent From the Hong Kong Police with a Book About WWII Spies
Source: Hong Kong Citizen News #Jun17
Read more
⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30190
#AppleDaily Journalists Confused by Hidden Message Reportedly Sent From the Hong Kong Police with a Book About WWII Spies
Source: Hong Kong Citizen News #Jun17
Read more
⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30190
#PoliceState #Journalism
#AppleDaily Journalists Confused by Hidden Message Reportedly Sent From the Hong Kong Police with a Book About WWII Spies
On June 17, 2021, the Hong Konv police raided the pro-democracy newspaper #AppleDaily and arrested 3 editors and 2 exeuctives on the charge of #NationalSecurityLaw.
The police stayed in the Next Digital Ltd. building for at least 5 hours and the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force seized a large sum of items, including at least 38 computers that contain news materials.
A reporter recounted that, when he realised the building was being searched at 8 a.m., he took his laptop and worked in another area.
After the building was reopened in the afternoon, some reporters returned to their seats and found their desks in a mess: The police took away both their company’s computers and their hard disks.
Some of them even noticed a book that was originally shelved being placed in a prominent position on the table, after the police raid.
The book is called "Hong Kong Newspaper Company and Spies in the Occupational Period" and is written by Apple Daily’s former editor-in-chief Cheng Ming-yun.
Some journalists questioned whether the police was trying to send a message and criticize them in an obscured way.
However, it remains uncertain whether the police fully understood the content of the book. The book actually “studies how some Hong Kong newspapers appeared to be cooperative toward the authorities, while indirectly resisting the Japanese occupation during the Second World War.
Source: Hong Kong Citizen News #Jun17
https://youtu.be/iFAbXpZyxVc
#AsiasFinest #SaveAppleDaily #SupportAppleDaily
====
Related News:
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Apple Daily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30172
News Anchor Wishes Hongkongers Safe
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30177
Former Staff Bids Farewell to the Newspaper
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30179
#AppleDaily Journalists Confused by Hidden Message Reportedly Sent From the Hong Kong Police with a Book About WWII Spies
On June 17, 2021, the Hong Konv police raided the pro-democracy newspaper #AppleDaily and arrested 3 editors and 2 exeuctives on the charge of #NationalSecurityLaw.
The police stayed in the Next Digital Ltd. building for at least 5 hours and the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force seized a large sum of items, including at least 38 computers that contain news materials.
A reporter recounted that, when he realised the building was being searched at 8 a.m., he took his laptop and worked in another area.
After the building was reopened in the afternoon, some reporters returned to their seats and found their desks in a mess: The police took away both their company’s computers and their hard disks.
Some of them even noticed a book that was originally shelved being placed in a prominent position on the table, after the police raid.
The book is called "Hong Kong Newspaper Company and Spies in the Occupational Period" and is written by Apple Daily’s former editor-in-chief Cheng Ming-yun.
Some journalists questioned whether the police was trying to send a message and criticize them in an obscured way.
However, it remains uncertain whether the police fully understood the content of the book. The book actually “studies how some Hong Kong newspapers appeared to be cooperative toward the authorities, while indirectly resisting the Japanese occupation during the Second World War.
Source: Hong Kong Citizen News #Jun17
https://youtu.be/iFAbXpZyxVc
#AsiasFinest #SaveAppleDaily #SupportAppleDaily
====
Related News:
Arrests, National Security Charges and Frozen Assets: Apple Daily Might Shut Down in 5 Days
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30172
News Anchor Wishes Hongkongers Safe
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30177
Former Staff Bids Farewell to the Newspaper
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30179
YouTube
【警搜壹傳媒後「漢奸」書被置檯面 記者:俾說話我聽?】
警方國安處在壹傳媒大樓調查逾5小時後,檢走大批物品,包括最少38部屬新聞工作者的電腦,內有大量新聞材料。有記者表示,早上八時知道大樓被搜,帶同私人電腦到公司另一樓宇工作。中午過後大樓解封,有記者返回座位時發現檯頭一片凌亂,公司的電腦和硬碟被拆走。
有員工發現,原本一本放在不顯眼位置的書、前蘋果日報總編輯鄭明仁的著作《淪陷時期香港報業與「漢奸」》,被人放在檯面顯眼位置,有員工質疑警方是想「俾說話我哋聽」。翻查資料,此書「研究香港報紙在陷日期間如何走上附敵(附逆)之路,到後來,又如何在言論上曲線反日。」
…
有員工發現,原本一本放在不顯眼位置的書、前蘋果日報總編輯鄭明仁的著作《淪陷時期香港報業與「漢奸」》,被人放在檯面顯眼位置,有員工質疑警方是想「俾說話我哋聽」。翻查資料,此書「研究香港報紙在陷日期間如何走上附敵(附逆)之路,到後來,又如何在言論上曲線反日。」
…
#Hongkongers
Pro-democracy media chief: “We’ve tried and enjoyed media freedom in the past. We have no regrets.”
#LouiseWong Lai-Sheung, editor-in-chief of the #NextMagazine in Hong Kong wrote an open letter on the magazine’s Facebook on June 23, 2021 to bid farewell to readers.
Wong wrote that the Magazine has gone through many tough times in the past, including deep profit losses in 2016. Back then, vocal media tycoon, #JimmyLai Chee-yin, owner of the Next Magazine “warned” to roll-off the magazine and set a timeline to put pressure on his staff to work hard. Wong wrote, “He knows we are “attached” to the magazine. Not letting it fold is our biggest motivation.”
Wong continued in her letter, it took them 3 years to “remodel it” from traditional magazine to online media when readership and profits gradually picked up and meeting new highs. When subscription model was first put in place in Next Magazine in 2019, they were surprised to acquired over 100,000 subscribers. Despite that the magazine could not turn around its profits, but reduce loss.
Until June 21, “the editorial believes the big era has come to an end.”
Wong expressed in the letter that she is a sentimental person. But she didn’t shed tears. In the office that filled with shocks and anxieties, she told herself to remain calm and get on to an exit plan. Facing those staff who are still hopeful to continue operating the Magazine, she couldn’t help but told them to cut it off. “We’ve tried in the past and enjoyed media freedom. We have no regrets.”
Source: Apple Daily, #Jun23
https://bit.ly/3gVDndz
#SaveAppleDaily #ProtectAppleDaily #Journalism #PressFreedom
====
Related News
National Security Police Arrests News Commentator; Pro-democracy #AppleDaily Will Shut Down In One Day
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30198
Pro-democracy media chief: “We’ve tried and enjoyed media freedom in the past. We have no regrets.”
#LouiseWong Lai-Sheung, editor-in-chief of the #NextMagazine in Hong Kong wrote an open letter on the magazine’s Facebook on June 23, 2021 to bid farewell to readers.
Wong wrote that the Magazine has gone through many tough times in the past, including deep profit losses in 2016. Back then, vocal media tycoon, #JimmyLai Chee-yin, owner of the Next Magazine “warned” to roll-off the magazine and set a timeline to put pressure on his staff to work hard. Wong wrote, “He knows we are “attached” to the magazine. Not letting it fold is our biggest motivation.”
Wong continued in her letter, it took them 3 years to “remodel it” from traditional magazine to online media when readership and profits gradually picked up and meeting new highs. When subscription model was first put in place in Next Magazine in 2019, they were surprised to acquired over 100,000 subscribers. Despite that the magazine could not turn around its profits, but reduce loss.
Until June 21, “the editorial believes the big era has come to an end.”
Wong expressed in the letter that she is a sentimental person. But she didn’t shed tears. In the office that filled with shocks and anxieties, she told herself to remain calm and get on to an exit plan. Facing those staff who are still hopeful to continue operating the Magazine, she couldn’t help but told them to cut it off. “We’ve tried in the past and enjoyed media freedom. We have no regrets.”
Source: Apple Daily, #Jun23
https://bit.ly/3gVDndz
#SaveAppleDaily #ProtectAppleDaily #Journalism #PressFreedom
====
Related News
National Security Police Arrests News Commentator; Pro-democracy #AppleDaily Will Shut Down In One Day
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30198