A LEGISLATIVE Council panel meeting on the soon-to-be launched Apple Daily has been branded a 'kangaroo court' by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong.

The group said time and public funds were wasted during Thursday's information panel meeting which discussed allegations five Chinese-language newspapers were obstructing the launch.

It said Apple Daily's editor-in-chief, Loh Chan, was unable to provide evidence for his claims or identify the newspapers, yet the meeting continued 'as if there were a prima facie case against certain known parties'.

The society said such proceedings were unfair to the industry and against the rule of law in the territory.