#Hongkongers
Pro-democracy media chief: “We’ve tried and enjoyed media freedom in the past. We have no regrets.”

#LouiseWong Lai-Sheung, editor-in-chief of the #NextMagazine in Hong Kong wrote an open letter on the magazine’s Facebook on June 23, 2021 to bid farewell to readers.

Wong wrote that the Magazine has gone through many tough times in the past, including deep profit losses in 2016. Back then, vocal media tycoon, #JimmyLai Chee-yin, owner of the Next Magazine “warned” to roll-off the magazine and set a timeline to put pressure on his staff to work hard. Wong wrote, “He knows we are “attached” to the magazine. Not letting it fold is our biggest motivation.”

Wong continued in her letter, it took them 3 years to “remodel it” from traditional magazine to online media when readership and profits gradually picked up and meeting new highs. When subscription model was first put in place in Next Magazine in 2019, they were surprised to acquired over 100,000 subscribers. Despite that the magazine could not turn around its profits, but reduce loss.

Until June 21, “the editorial believes the big era has come to an end.”

Wong expressed in the letter that she is a sentimental person. But she didn’t shed tears. In the office that filled with shocks and anxieties, she told herself to remain calm and get on to an exit plan. Facing those staff who are still hopeful to continue operating the Magazine, she couldn’t help but told them to cut it off. “We’ve tried in the past and enjoyed media freedom. We have no regrets.”

Source: Apple Daily, #Jun23
https://bit.ly/3gVDndz

#SaveAppleDaily #ProtectAppleDaily #Journalism #PressFreedom

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Apple Daily Journalist: Hongkongers will not give up, journalists will never give up

Apple Daily local news journalist received flowers from supportive citizens, as he returned to the newspaper office.

Chan has worked for Apple Daily for over 3 years. He said he would miss "the Hong Kong with Apple Daily".

The 26-year-old top-selling pro-democracy newspaper will cease operation under the authorities' suppression. The last edition will be released after midnight on June 24, 2021.

Chan said all his colleagues are very busy and doing their best in their posts until the final moment of the newspaper.

"I also want to continuing my work at Apple Daily and that Next Digital can go on operating," Chan said. "But it is not we can have what we want."

Chan described Apple Daily as a place for media workers to pursue beliefs and ideals. Seeing editors and journalists getting arrested by the Hong Kong police, Chan said he could see the risk of being a journalist and asked fellow media workers and Hongkongers not to give up.

For its last edition, the newspaper will print 1 million copies. Chan reminded fellow Hongkongers, "Do get a copy of Apple Daily tomorrow!"

Source: Stand News; InMedia #Jun23

https://bit.ly/3vKjGuN

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