Apple Daily
Apple Daily newspaper was founded by Jimmy Lai (Lai Chee Ying) in 1995 and is published by his company, Next Media. Apple Daily's main sections, include "Local News", "Foreign News", "Finance", "Entertainment", "Sports" and "Others" - including technology, travel, eating, cooking, fashion and pornography.
Popularity
In the early days of Apple Daily, it was regarded as one of the most popular newspapers in Hong Kong, with its clear standpoint of being against HK government. It was classified by leftists in Hong Kong as anti-China and anti-government, and its reporters are still often banned from doing interviews in Mainland China. However, there are several reasons why it is a less popular newspaper in recent years.
In July 2000, when Apple Daily Online was launched, its eye-catching presentation, sensational stories and gruesome pictures of dead people drove readers away. The newspaper also carried pornographic material and provided reviews of places of prostitution. Keen competition from rival Oriental Daily also diminished the market share of Apple Daily. Because of their similar reporting styles, readers usually regard them as substitutes for each other.
Nevertheless, Apple Daily remains one of the Chinese newspapers with highest circulation for several reasons.
- Its writing is user-friendly because of its narrative style, in contrast to the more professional style of other papers.
- Its anti-government stance strikes a chord with many readers especially after 1997, when Hong Kong's economy hit a slump.
- It ushered the paparazzi style of journalism into Hong Kong, by investigating the life of famous people behind the scenes and following them everywhere. Other newspapers and magazines have since imitated this style.
According to Nielson/Netrating 2002, Apply Daily is the most frequently visited news website in Hong Kong.
In September 2003, veteran columnist To Kit (陶傑) joined the newspaper, and publish his daily column 'The Golden Adventure' (黃金冒險號) and a weekly editorial called 'Sunday Rest' (星期日休息) at the newspaper.
See also: Media in Hong Kong, Newspapers of Hong Kong
