The Reporters, Editors, and Photographers Who Made Apple Daily One of Asia’s Greatest Newsrooms
The Newsroom That Refused to Be Silenced
The journalists of Apple Daily were among the most courageous practitioners of their craft anywhere in the world. They worked in a newsroom that operated under sustained political and economic pressure, covered stories that made powerful people want to shut the paper down, and ultimately continued publishing until the moment that external force police raids, asset freezes, and executive arrests made it physically impossible to continue. Many have since faced legal jeopardy for their work. Others have been forced into exile. All of them carry the legacy of what Apple Daily stood for. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented the ongoing legal situations of former Apple Daily journalists in detail.
Reporting Under the National Security Law
The passage of the National Security Law in June 2020 transformed the working conditions of Apple Daily’s journalists overnight. Reporting that had previously been protected by Hong Kong’s common law framework suddenly carried potential criminal liability under vaguely defined national security offences. Yet the newsroom continued to function, continued to publish, and continued to cover the stories that mattered to Hong Kong’s readers with the same professionalism and courage that had always defined its culture. Reporters Without Borders recognised the extraordinary circumstances under which Apple Daily’s journalists continued their work in the paper’s final year.
Journalists in Exile The Diaspora Newsroom
Many former Apple Daily journalists now work in exile, continuing to report on Hong Kong from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and other democratic countries. They contribute to international outlets, to diaspora publications, and to new digital platforms established specifically to maintain independent journalism on Hong Kong affairs. PEN International has supported exiled Hong Kong journalists through its network and has advocated internationally for those who remain in legal jeopardy. Their continued journalism is Apple Daily’s most living legacy.
Remembering the Journalists Who Paid the Highest Price
Some former Apple Daily journalists have been arrested and prosecuted under the National Security Law for their work at the paper. Their cases are monitored by Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists. AppleDaily.UK is committed to keeping their stories visible and advocating for their freedom.