Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai admits Apple Daily was ‘too radical’ towards authorities
By Brian Wong
Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying admitted his now-defunct tabloid newspaper had been “too radical” towards Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, adding he required editorial staff to be “more creative” in covering sensitive topics after the city’s adoption of the national security law.
Lai, 77, also told his high-profile trial on Monday he believed he and Apple Daily stood “on the right side of history” and that they could “beat our time” without a direct confrontation with those in power.
On the 18th day of his oral testimony at West Kowloon Court, Lai was asked to respond to a series of remarks he made after he was arrested and detained for more than 40 hours for questioning by national security police in August 2020.
Lai said in an exclusive interview with his tabloid that he had no regret even if he was eventually thrown into prison, vowing that Apple Daily would “hold on till the end” and that he would accept any potential consequences.
He was also quoted as advising Apple Daily staff to “be a bit more prudent and be a bit more creative in doing things”.
Lai denied in court he had encouraged his now-closed newspaper to continue its operation in an illegal manner under the national security law, saying it had to adapt to “changing circumstances”.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Brian Wong
Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying admitted his now-defunct tabloid newspaper had been “too radical” towards Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, adding he required editorial staff to be “more creative” in covering sensitive topics after the city’s adoption of the national security law.
Lai, 77, also told his high-profile trial on Monday he believed he and Apple Daily stood “on the right side of history” and that they could “beat our time” without a direct confrontation with those in power.
On the 18th day of his oral testimony at West Kowloon Court, Lai was asked to respond to a series of remarks he made after he was arrested and detained for more than 40 hours for questioning by national security police in August 2020.
Lai said in an exclusive interview with his tabloid that he had no regret even if he was eventually thrown into prison, vowing that Apple Daily would “hold on till the end” and that he would accept any potential consequences.
He was also quoted as advising Apple Daily staff to “be a bit more prudent and be a bit more creative in doing things”.
Lai denied in court he had encouraged his now-closed newspaper to continue its operation in an illegal manner under the national security law, saying it had to adapt to “changing circumstances”.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
