5 Years After Hong Kong Apple Daily Ceased Operations, Former Reporters Share What They Miss Most

(CNA, Taipei, June 23) Five years after Hong Kong Apple Daily ceased operations, former reporter Michael (pseudonym) still cherishes the years he worked with excellent colleagues during his decade-long tenure. He has since given up his identity as a reporter, but the scar in his heart remains. Former reporter Joan (pseudonym) said that what is hardest to let go of is not the newspaper's closure, but colleagues who are in prison.

After the outbreak of the anti-extradition bill protests in 2019, Hong Kong's political environment underwent drastic changes. The Hong Kong National Security Law was implemented in June 2020, and in August of the same year, Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai was arrested. In mid-June 2021, several senior executives of Apple Daily were also arrested.

Michael, who worked as a reporter at Apple Daily for about 10 years, told CNA reporters that the news of Apple Daily "not being able to get past this hurdle" (meaning facing closure) had been circulating widely. Colleagues, including himself, were mentally prepared. It wasn't until June 23 when Apple officially announced its closure that he felt a subtle sadness, but the greater feeling was "unexpected."

"In this city of Hong Kong, such things can actually happen. I was more surprised," Michael said. At the time, he just wanted to do his best to report the news.

On June 24, 2021, Apple Daily published its final edition, printing a record 1 million copies to bid farewell to the people of Hong Kong.

Even now, Michael often thinks of Apple Daily. For example, when he sees news about Apple Daily's trial or when major events occur in Hong Kong and he sees media reports that are all the same, he is reminded of his days reporting the news.

Michael even misses his days at the newspaper in his daily life. "Apple was different from many other companies in Hong Kong. It had high demands on its employees, but it also treated its employees very well and accepted reporters holding opposing views."

After Apple Daily ceased operations, Michael worked at another media outlet, but found the space to be more limited than before, and subsequently resigned. He believes that the difficulties facing the media now are even greater, so he will not re-enter the media industry for some time.

Michael has let go of his identity as a reporter, but he said he will not let go of the closure of Apple Daily. Even as years pass, the scar in his heart will not disappear.

For some former employees, what is hardest to let go of after 5 years is not the newspaper's closure, but the situation of their former colleagues.

Joan (pseudonym), who worked as a reporter at Apple Daily for about 14 years, told CNA that what she misses most now is not Apple Daily itself, but her colleagues who have lost their freedom.

Jimmy Lai and six senior executives of Apple Daily were convicted of violating the National Security Law. Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while the other six senior executives received sentences ranging from 6 years and 9 months to 10 years.

Joan admitted that often in her daily life, when she thinks about what to eat for dinner or where to go on vacation tomorrow, she thinks of her colleagues in prison. "We have the freedom to choose, but they don't, and for such a long time as 10 years."

Joan said she only hopes they are well in prison and is counting down the days until she can reunite with them. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150623

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