‘To keep a voice for Hongkongers’ Jimmy Lai thanks Apple Daily supporters on 1st anniversary of subscription
蘋果日報 2020/09/04 13:01
“I believe we have a responsibility to the people. No matter how difficult or dangerous it is, we will always try to be a voice for Hong Kong people,” said media tycoon and democracy activist Jimmy Lai.
Sep. 2 marks the first anniversary of Apple Daily’s subscription model. Having faced challenges and repression throughout the years, the pro-democracy paper vows to standfast and persist in pursuing the truth.
China’s imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong has no doubt dealt a heavy blow to the city’s diminishing press freedom, the founder of Apple Daily and media company Next Digital said.
“Under the national security law, media outlets can barely operate. It puts huge pressure on our peers. That said, despite being wary of personal safety, we continue to deliver our work owing to our conscience and responsibility to society,” said Lai.
Lai was not worried that his potential imprisonment would affect the operation of Apple Daily.
“I do not manage the newspaper directly, so if I go to jail, the impact will not be very significant. But I do hope Cheung Kim-hung [CEO of Next Media and publisher of Apple Daily] won’t need to go to jail. I will also feel extremely apologetic if it happens to Royston Chow [Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer] or Wong Wai-keung [Next Media Executive Director].”
Lai also addressed concerns of some readers. “Apple Daily is neither drugs nor guns. You will not be arrested for subscribing to Apple Daily.”
“I am very thankful for the support of our friends in Hong Kong, some of whom even showed solidarity by purchasing our shares,” said Lai. “But I think in the end, we can only sustain ourselves with a subscription model.”
The fall in subscription numbers revealed the shortcomings of the newspaper’s content, Lai admitted. He promised to keep reviewing and improving their services in the hope to secure Hongkongers’ support.
“Business has been very difficult, but we are determined to persevere regardless of any circumstances,” Lai pledged.
The 72-year-old also said he had no regrets for everything he has done. “No matter how difficult it is, at the end of the day, the purpose of living is to do the right thing. So, if you find meaning in what you do, you will not regret it.”
Thank you very much for subscribing to Apple Daily – let’s fight on.
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Apple Daily’s all-new English Edition is now available on the mobile app: bit.ly/2yMMfQE