Divergent Evaluations Over Apple Daily in Hong Kong

"Freedom Protection" vs "Defiling National Sovereignty"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In Hong Kong, contrasting evaluations emerged regarding the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, which ceased publication on the 24th. While one side viewed it as a defender of freedom, the other claimed it tarnished national sovereignty.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the day, citing Hong Kong media experts, that "evaluations of Apple Daily are extremely polarized." However, both sides agreed that Apple Daily held significance beyond that of a mere newspaper in Hong Kong society.

Bruce Lui, a lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University, said, "Apple Daily was a thermometer testing the Chinese government's patience with the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy and a symbolic organization."

Lui added, "Apple Daily appealed to the common anxieties and frustrations of Hong Kong people regarding the Chinese government's control. It is clear that it was not just a simple media outlet or newspaper."

Ivan Choi, a political scientist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, stated, "The closure of Apple Daily marks the end of an era."

Apple Daily initially gained notoriety for its sexual reporting, sensational gossip coverage, and paparazzi-driven expos?s of celebrities' private lives. In 2003, when the Hong Kong government attempted to legislate the extradition bill, it urged citizens to take to the streets in protest, marking a shift toward a stronger anti-government stance.

Francis Lee, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, pointed out, "Disapproving of a newspaper's approach and criminalizing it are different matters."

Professor Lee said, "A newspaper cannot be shut down simply because it is thought to publish sensational reports." He emphasized, "Even if critical articles urging foreign governments to take action are published, challenging the publication is undesirable from the perspective of protecting freedom of expression."

On the other hand, Peter Kwan Wai, a professor at the Chu Hai College of Higher Education in Hong Kong, commented on Apple Daily's owner Jimmy Lai's leading role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the 2019 anti-government protests, saying, "It was inappropriate behavior for a media owner." He added, "I agree with the government's view that Apple Daily exceeded the role of a newspaper."

Paul Lee, a professor at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, described Apple Daily as "a biased newspaper that took strong stances on issues such as human rights and democracy."

Professor Lee explained, "While it can be said that Apple Daily advocated for such values, its unique characteristics cannot be denied. To its supporters, Apple Daily was their spokesperson, but other Hong Kong media outlets do not criticize the government as strongly as Apple Daily did."

Hong Kong police stated that since 2019, over 30 articles published in Apple Daily have been suspected of colluding with foreign forces under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Leung Chun-ying, former Chief Executive of Hong Kong and a proponent of Apple Daily's closure, raised his voice on Facebook the previous day, saying, "Apple Daily and its parent company Next Digital are not media organizations but political outlets for Lai."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.