Hong Kong’s Apple Daily did not have full editorial independence as senior staff had ‘no choice’ but to follow Jimmy Lai’s orders, court hears
- Even highest-ranked editors could not deviate from directions from boss Jimmy Lai, ex-publisher Cheung Kim-hung says during cross-examination
- Defence downplays tycoon’s influence at now-closed Apple Daily tabloid, insisting senior staff had their own input and strayed from his suggestions
Ex-publisher and defendant turned prosecution witness Cheung Kim-hung said editorial independence was merely an ideal for the newsroom as even the highest-ranked editors could not deviate from the directions of the 76-year-old media boss.
“So my role was to supervise [the senior management] to ensure they followed Mr Lai’s editorial policies,” Cheung said during cross-examination by the defence as the national security trial entered its 18th day.
“We indeed had a wish for editorial independence, but in terms of Mr Lai’s editorial policies and requests for us, we had no choice.”
Lai has pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under the Beijing-decreed national security law, as well as a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publication under colonial-era legislation.