Shift to social media tough on columnists

The end of Apple Daily has eliminated a major platform for columnists and commentators, with some trying to shift to social media.

But the internet's decentralized nature means it will be more difficult for writers to secure readership, a commentator said.

Apple Daily columnists bade farewell to their readers, with a few noting that they will continue writing on their Facebook page.

"Budming" wrote that he will open a Patreon service and called on readers to support him and pay for a subscription to read his content.

Bruce Lui Ping-kuen, convener of the Independent Commentator Association, said although some commentators have moved their columns to social media, there are limitations for posting their content online.

"The columns will be scattered across social media in their own Facebook pages. It will no longer be a writing environment like the one at Apple Daily," Lui said.

Without such an environment, writers may not fancy writing as much there, he added.

But for some, writing columns in another newspaper may not be the way to go as they may be covering sensitive topics that no media outlets are able to carry, Lui said, adding it would be difficult for them to find somewhere else to run their columns.

Lui said commentators have been more careful due to the national security law and recent events, while others have stopped writing or even left Hong Kong.

"We are using a mindset as if we are working in the mainland. That is the way we are staying safe."

Clement So York-kee, a journalism professor at Chinese University, said with Apple Daily's closure, "there will be less channels for citizens to make their voices heard."

He added: "I am worried about how concerns would be reflected in the future."

So said the closure has left many journalists unemployed and made it harder for new blood to enter the industry.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong cyber activists are backing up articles on censorship-proof blockchain platforms.

As of yesterday, more than 4,000 Apple Daily articles had been uploaded on ARWeave.

The platform also boasts hundreds of RTHK programs dating back to 2012, which were uploaded after the broadcaster announced last month that it would delete programs that were over a year old from all platforms.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com