BBC: “Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy paper Apple Daily has announced its closure, in a blow to media freedom in the city. The publication’s offices were raided last week over allegations that several reports had breached a controversial national security law. Company-linked assets worth HK$18m were later frozen. Police also detained its chief editor and five other executives.”
“The tabloid has been critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese leadership. Its founder Jimmy Lai is already in jail on a string of charges. The paper’s management said that ‘in view of staff members’ safety’, it had decided ‘to cease operation immediately after midnight’ – making Thursday’s publication the final printed edition. The digital version of the 26-year old paper will no longer be updated after midnight. A separate announcement by publisher Next Digital thanked the readers for their ‘loyal support’ as well as its journalists, staff and advertisers.”