Jimmy Lai denies 'editorial instructions' over English Apple Daily reporting solely on China news

Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying on Wednesday refuted allegations that he was giving editorial directions to the English edition of Apple Daily for reporting solely on China news but not international news.

During the 133rd-day trial of Lai, Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping issued a stern reminder concerning Lai's self-proclaimed "political prisoners" on two occasions that were made in court the previous day (Feb 11).

"The court will only make a ruling based on the evidence exhibited in the trial and the relevant laws involved in the case," Toh stressed. "Regardless of the defendant's political stance, it is a matter outside the court."

She added that everyone is equal before the law and everyone has the opportunity for a fair trial. 

Lai said he understood in response to the reminder by Toh.

On his 41st day of self-representation, Lai disagreed that he gave editorial directions to former Apple Daily editorial writer and English news executive editor-in-chief Fung Wai-kong as the prosecution presented WhatsApp chat records between the duo in August 2020.

In the message, Fung suggested publishing some international news, such as the United States presidential election, but then turned down by Lai.

Lai claimed that his remarks were solely based on the "business principle" that the English news version of Apple Daily should focus on Chinese news but not international news.

However, he admitted that he kept an eye on the articles published on the English platform when the website and app were launched. He agreed that he had shared articles that "he found interesting" to Fung but denied those were editorial directions.

Regarding the article published in July 2020 -- written by an editorial writer -- discussing the possibility of the United States imposing sanctions on former Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Lai claimed that he had not read about that.

He noted that the article published on Apple Daily could result from negligence or mishandling by the former editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee.