Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying had instructed reporters to provide more coverage on the global blame game over China’s Covid response, according to former associate publisher, Chan Pui-man.
Testifying as a prosecution accomplice witness in Lai’s national security trial, Chan acknowledged that Lai had sent a message to the WhatsApp group “English News” on May 13, 2020, saying that the English Apple Daily should focus more on China news.
The message sent by Lai said the English Apple Daily should have more news and features on mainland China stories, with such stories attractive to Americans given the surge in anti-China sentiment following the Covid pandemic.
Chan told the court that Lai had instructed online news reporters focusing on China news stories to provide more coverage on the global blame game over China’s Covid response, which the content would be used in the print edition of Apple Daily.
Meanwhile, the prosecution noted that Apple Daily had once published a front-page advertisement with the heading “Hongkongers in the US rendered their full support”, along with the now-banned protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times.”
The prosecution said according to chat records on the WhatsApp group “English News”, the advertisement was part of a crowdfunding scheme.
When asked to comment, Chan said she was unaware whether the advertisement was placed by Hongkongers staying overseas, she was also unsure why the advertisement would be placed on the front page, with the relevant administrative process handled by the advertisement department.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 