Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of the sex, crime and scandal broadsheet Apple Daily, stands out as one of Hong Kong's most controversial people.
The muckraking style of his Next Media publications, which includes Next Magazine, draws criticism from some scholars and media professionals, while his firm stance on democracy has won respect from more than just his readers.
Mr Lai, the chairman and biggest shareholder of Next Media, spoke out last week against what he claims is an organised advertising boycott of his publications, viewed as anti-Beijing, by conglomerates such as Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Group.
This has led to an annual loss of HK$200 million in advertising revenue, or about 25 per cent of the company's Hong Kong advertising income, he said.
Even so, that hasn't left Next Media short of cash, Mr Lai said, and there was no need to sell all or part of the company, despite interest from some quarters.
'There are always people wanting to take a stake in our company. They think we have problems and after they take a stake they will change the stance of the company and they can make big money. 'But, we can't sell a stake.'