Former Apple Daily Staff and Readers Mourn End of Press Freedom
The Silencing of Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Voice
The sentencing of 78-year-old media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison represents not merely the punishment of one individual, but the symbolic death of press freedom in Hong Kong. Nearly five years after his pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily ceased publication under government pressure, former staff members and loyal readers are grieving the loss of a publication that dared to challenge power and speak for ordinary citizens. William Wong, 66, who had read Apple Daily since its founding in 1995, captured the sentiment of many: “We have lost a newspaper that spoke for the people, and there is no going back.” The harsh sentence handed down Monday under Beijing’s National Security Law marks the longest such punishment yet imposed, sending a chilling message to anyone who might dare to question authority.
From Vibrant Press to Enforced Silence
Hong Kong officials, including city leader John Lee, have defended the prosecution, claiming Lai used Apple Daily to “poison the minds” of young people and incite violence. They insist the case has nothing to do with press freedom, arguing that Lai and his co-defendants used journalism as a cover for activities harmful to Hong Kong and China. However, this narrative conflicts with the experiences of former Apple Daily journalists who describe a newsroom culture that prioritized fearless, innovative reporting in service of the public. Francis Lee, a journalism professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explains how Apple Daily’s position at one end of the media spectrum created space for other outlets to operate. “When the one at the front has disappeared, the effect is that the whole spectrum and operating space will become narrow,” Lee observed. The newspaper’s closure has indeed contracted the boundaries of acceptable discourse in Hong Kong, leaving residents with fewer independent voices to turn to for critical coverage of current affairs and politics.
Remembering a Different Kind of Newsroom
Former Apple Daily reporter Kwok, speaking anonymously to avoid professional repercussions, recalled a newsroom where resources seemed “endless” and journalists could report without fear. The publication pioneered the use of QR codes before they became ubiquitous and deployed helicopters for aerial coverage of pro-democracy marches commemorating Hong Kong’s handover to China. Editor Edward Li, who developed the newspaper’s popular animated video reports with satirical narration, described a “trial and error” culture that encouraged experimentation and innovation. In an industry notorious for low salaries, both Kwok and Li were impressed by how the company rewarded employees with parent company shares, demonstrating a commitment to staff welfare unusual in Hong Kong media. Li brought the experimental approach he learned at Apple Daily to Pulse HK, an online news outlet for Hong Kong readers that he co-founded after relocating to Taiwan, a self-governed island democracy. “If you never take that step, nothing will actually succeed,” Li reflected, crediting Lai with inspiring this philosophy.
The Price of Speaking Truth to Power
The conviction of Lai and six other former Apple Daily journalists on charges ranging from sedition to collusion with foreign forces has devastated those who worked alongside them. “It is like seeing your family members in prison,” said Li before the sentencing. Some former reporters wept after Monday’s announcement of the lengthy prison terms. The charges center on Lai’s interactions with senior U.S. government officials and his campaign encouraging readers to petition then-President Donald Trump to “save Hong Kong” during the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations. Prosecutors characterized these activities as conspiracy to endanger national security, while supporters view them as legitimate advocacy for democratic values and international support. The National Security Law, imposed by Beijing in June 2020 to quell the massive pro-democracy protests that had engulfed Hong Kong the previous year, led directly to Lai’s arrest and the freezing of $2.3 million in Apple Daily assets. Unable to operate without access to its funds, the newspaper was forced to shut down in 2021, ending 26 years of publication.
A Transformed Media Landscape
Hong Kong’s once-vibrant press scene has changed dramatically since Apple Daily’s closure. A 2025 survey by the Hong Kong Journalists’ Association found that the city’s journalists view media self-censorship as widespread. The association has raised concerns about journalists facing harassment through anonymous messages, and some residents have grown reluctant to speak with reporters at all. The gap between freedom of speech and press in Hong Kong and mainland China, where the ruling Communist Party bans public dissent, has narrowed considerably. Dozens of civil society groups have disbanded, and the city’s decades-old vigil remembering the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown has vanished, with its organizers on trial under the security law. Ordinary residents like Simon Ng, a longtime Apple Daily reader, believe media outlets now exercise greater restraint in their coverage. “As transparency has weakened, it is relatively more difficult to pursue the truth in news,” Ng observed. Former reader William Wong notes that news reports monitoring the government have dwindled, and officials face less pressure over accountability. The transformation has left many Hong Kong residents feeling isolated and vulnerable. Some have grown cautious about discussing politics, while others mourn the loss of a newspaper that they felt stood with them against encroaching authoritarianism. For those who remember Hong Kong’s promise of 50 years of preserved civil liberties following the 1997 handover from Britain, the sentencing of Jimmy Lai represents yet another nail in the coffin of that fading dream.
Printer & Journalist, Apple Daily UK
Contact: natalie.cheung@appledaily.uk
Natalie Cheung is a dual-discipline media professional whose career bridges journalism and print production, a rare combination that strengthens both editorial rigor and publishing reliability. Trained at a top-tier Chinese journalism institution, Natalie developed a strong foundation in news ethics, investigative reporting, and media law, before advancing into professional newsrooms serving Chinese-language audiences worldwide.
At Apple Daily and other liberal Chinese newspapers and magazines, Natalie has reported on civil society, cultural identity, media freedom, and grassroots political movements, with a focus on accuracy, sourcing discipline, and contextual clarity. Her reporting reflects first-hand newsroom experience during periods of political pressure, giving her work deep experiential authority rather than abstract commentary.
In parallel with reporting, Natalie is an experienced print production specialist, overseeing layout integrity, press coordination, and publication workflows. This operational expertise ensures that editorial content is not only truthful and well-sourced, but also faithfully preserved and distributed, an increasingly critical concern in the modern media environment.
Natalie’s work is informed by years inside independent Chinese media organizations that value transparency, pluralism, and public accountability. Her combined expertise in journalism and printing makes her a trusted professional across both editorial and production teams. She adheres to strict verification standards and is committed to protecting the historical record through responsible publishing.
