Next Digital Ltd. (formerly Apple Daily Limited and Next Media Limited), often referred to simply as Next Digital, was a prominent Hong Kong-based media conglomerate founded by entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. It was a significant player in the region's media landscape, known for its strong pro-democracy stance and critical reporting on the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, until its forced closure in 2021.
History Next Digital was founded in 1990 by Jimmy Lai, initially under the name Next Media. Its first major publication, Next Magazine, a popular weekly current affairs and entertainment magazine, was launched in the same year. In 1995, Lai launched the Chinese-language daily newspaper Apple Daily, which quickly gained a large readership in Hong Kong due to its distinctive blend of sensationalist journalism, entertainment news, and outspoken pro-democracy political commentary.
Over the years, Next Digital expanded its media empire to include numerous other magazines, such as Eat & Travel Weekly, Sudden Weekly, and Easy Finder, and established a significant presence in Taiwan with local editions of Apple Daily and Next Magazine. The company was also an early adopter of digital media, launching online versions of its publications and developing various digital content platforms to reach a broader audience.
Key Publications and Business Units
- Apple Daily: The flagship newspaper and most influential asset, widely read for its pro-democracy editorials, investigative journalism, and entertainment coverage. It was one of Hong Kong's most widely circulated newspapers.
- Next Magazine: A popular weekly current affairs and entertainment magazine that focused on local news, celebrity gossip, and political commentary.
- Digital Platforms: Next Digital made substantial investments in online news portals and digital content, becoming an important source of information and entertainment for internet users in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
- Taiwan Operations: The company maintained a separate but related media presence in Taiwan, producing local editions of Apple Daily and Next Magazine, adapted for the Taiwanese market.
Political Stance and Controversies Next Digital, particularly through Apple Daily, was a vocal advocate for democracy, human rights, and autonomy in Hong Kong. This editorial stance led to frequent clashes with the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, which often accused the company and its founder of inciting unrest, spreading "fake news," and publishing "seditious" material. The company faced repeated advertiser boycotts, protests by pro-Beijing groups, and various legal and financial challenges over the decades.
Jimmy Lai, the founder, was a prominent and outspoken figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, actively participating in protests and openly criticizing Beijing's growing influence over the city.
Closure Under National Security Law Following the imposition of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020, Next Digital became a prime target of authorities.
- August 2020: Jimmy Lai was arrested under the NSL on charges of collusion with foreign forces. Apple Daily's offices were raided by hundreds of police officers, and several executives were questioned.
- December 2020: Lai was further charged under the NSL and subsequently denied bail, remaining in custody.
- June 2021: Police conducted a second major raid on Apple Daily's offices, arresting five senior executives on charges of collusion with foreign forces. Authorities froze HK$18 million (approximately US$2.3 million) of the company's assets, alleging that articles published by Apple Daily called for sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials.
- Cessation of Operations: The asset freeze rendered Next Digital unable to pay staff and suppliers. Consequently, Apple Daily published its last print edition on June 24, 2021, and all online content was subsequently removed. The company officially ceased operations, and its board later announced its intention to liquidate the company. The Taiwanese Apple Daily print edition had ceased earlier in 2021 due to financial difficulties and a strategic shift to digital, though its independent digital operations continued for some time before also facing challenges.
Legacy The forced closure of Next Digital and its flagship publication, Apple Daily, was widely condemned internationally as a severe blow to press freedom, freedom of speech, and autonomy in Hong Kong. It became a prominent symbol of the rapid erosion of civil liberties in the city following the implementation of the National Security Law and served as a stark warning to other independent media outlets. The company's demise marked the end of a significant chapter in Hong Kong's media history and a pivotal moment in its political transformation.