The End of Apple Daily, The End of Press Freedom

Wow Apple Daily even has a swimming pool on the rooftop!

 

As I write this, Apple Daily is putting to bed its final edition.

Earlier today it was announced the paper would continue operating until Friday, but this afternoon the board of directors issued a statement saying Apple Daily would cease to operate on Thursday morning and thanked its readers. 

It was later revealed that 1 million copies of the paper would be printed.

Might as well go out with a bang.

Right now there are supporters standing outside the Apple Daily offices in Tseung Kwan O and waving their mobile phones with their lights on and shouting, "Add oil Apple!"

Tomorrow's front page

Staffers inside and on the roof are waving back.

And there are people lining up at a newsstand in Mongkok waiting for the newspaper to arrive an hour from now at 1.30am. 

For people in Hong Kong the end of Apple Daily is the end of press freedom in Hong Kong, the end of free speech and freedom of expression.

An attack on one news outlet is an attack on all media in Hong Kong. The forced closure of Apple Daily will change the media landscape forever.

To the Apple Daily reporters past and present, thank you for your hard work and dedication to get the news out to your readers. It isn't easy to work for an organization like this, particularly in the last two years, which is why you are even more courageous.

Thank you for fighting to the end.