Stand News chief resigns, citing family reasons

The editor-in-chief of a prominent pro-democracy online media has resigned, citing family reasons. 

Chung Pui-kuen announced his resignation from Stand News last Monday. His wife is the now-defunct Apple Daily's associate publisher Chan Pui-man, who is remanded for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The offence comes with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Chung wrote on Facebook in a closed group on Saturday that he had stepped down from the post last Monday due to family reasons, and deputy chief Patrick Lam has taken over Chung’s duties on an acting post.

Chung thanked bloggers and writers for supporting Stand News over the years.

“I hope everyone will continue to support the Stand News team. They are kind, sincere and persevering. I am proud of having been working with them,” he said.

Days after Apple Daily ceased operation in June, Stand News said it has temporarily removed all the articles and commentaries submitted in May or before from its website, until it decided that it’s appropriate to publish them again.

The platform stopped to receive new donations. It also announced the resignation of six board members -- Yu Ka-fai, Chow Tat-chi, Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, Denise Ho Wan-si, Fong Man-sun and Joseph Lian Yi-zheng. Only Chung and founder Tony Tsoi Tung-ho stayed behind.

The media had also terminated the contracts of staffers who had worked there for six months or more last month, so as to protect them.