- Title: Snaking queues at Hong Kong news stands as Apple Daily rolls out last edition
- Date: 24th June 2021
- Summary: VARIOUS OF EMPTY SHELVES WHERE APPLE DAILY WAS, LABELS READING (Mandarin): "APPLE DAILY NEWSPAPER" (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG RESIDENT, STEVEN LIU SAYING: "It's like death, because Hong Kong is supposed to have freedom of press and speech. If the last organisation that speaks for Hong Kong disappears, then I don't think it's suitable to live here anymore." HONG KONG
- Embargoed: 8th July 2021 03:47
- Keywords: Apple Daily Hong Kong national security newspaper press freedom
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Lawmaking,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002EIRDKJR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong residents rushed in the early hours of Thursday (June 24) to snap up copies of the final edition of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, which was forced to end its 26-year run after it became embroiled in a national security crackdown.
The end of the popular tabloid, which mixes pro-democracy discourse with racy celebrity gossip and investigations of those in power, has raised alarm over media freedom and other rights in the Chinese-ruled city.
"I'm really sad," said Hong Kong resident Marsin Lok, who was amongst the queue. "I want to leave it for the next generation to read, even though it's lost history, we don't know if they will come back. But, it's our responsibility to let people in the future to know about this."
Authorities also froze the assets of companies related to Apple Daily, which senior executives said left it unable to operate. Owner of Apple Daily and jailed media tycoon, Jimmy Lai, has emerged as one of the highest-profile targets of the new law and is facing three national security charges, including colluding with a foreign country.
(Production: Pak Yiu) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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