Memoirs of a Loser 27: How to Say Goodbye to a Spirit?

In the Republic of China, "Ta Kung Pao" Zhang Jiluan put forward the four principles of "no party, no selling, no selfishness, and no blindness." According to his interpretation, "no party" is not neutral, nor is it hostile to political parties and factions, but has nothing to do with all political parties. Relationships, express opinions purely on the basis of citizenship; "not selling" means independent speech, the economy is self-sustaining, not accepting investment from politicians, and not trading speech; Be the mouthpiece of the public; "Not blind" is a self-encouraging word, "To agree with one's voice is to follow blindly; to understand only a little, it is to blindly believe; to be impulsive and not to go into details, it is to be blind; Fight. We don’t really know, and don’t want to be blinded.”

These "four nos" were taken for granted, but after decades of experience, we know that all large-scale media are extremely difficult to achieve. Even the United States, which most people consider to be the best embodiment of press freedom, saw the phenomenon of the media returning to the side during the election campaign last year. Needless to say, the Chinese media led by the Party, even though the Hong Kong media used to be among the best in the world's press freedom score, are actually some distance away from the "four nos". Chinese politics has never spared the media, saying united front, coercion and enticement are endless. After meeting Deng Xiaoping, the great writer of the literati newspaper also changed his color, saying that the media should follow the example of the People's Liberation Army.

Shortly after the launch of "Apple Daily", the momentum has already started, but the boss is rich and the cost is high and it is not profitable. At this time, it is known that there is a young billionaire who has made a bid for 3 billion Hong Kong dollars to buy Li Zhiying, stating that he will not change or interfere with the existing editor. Pick. At that time, the boss only invested hundreds of millions of yuan, which should be a big profit in terms of business, but the boss categorically refused.

In the long years of operation, China has wooed Boss Li more than once, including the two couples I wrote about who went to Taiwan to lobby and were called by the security guard to see off the guests, and also wooed him to return to the mainland to run a newspaper through cultural leaders. That is, a few years ago, he was invited to Beijing through relatives, but he refused. Changed the literati to run the newspaper, and with the habits of traditional Chinese intellectuals, this is all something you can't ask for. Some old friends sell friendship and ask the newspapers to report or not to report on Guan, there are countless. Li Zhiying ignored it. Because I knew him, people kept asking me to tell him, but I knew it was impossible, so they all refused. Therefore, "not selling" he absolutely did it.

If "non-party" refers to the political party in power, then Apple Daily does maintain a safe distance from those in power forever. But I also have to say that in the process of striving for democracy in Hong Kong, Next Media has always favored the Democratic Party, the Citizens Party, and Li Fei, and has lacked support for young protesters, localists, and valiant factions, and even slandered them. This is the reason why "Apple" has gradually lost the support of young readers after the rise of local consciousness. I am afraid it is also the reason why my boss was replaced by the boss after 9 years of editing the forum version. Therefore, "not the party" did not fully do it. It was only after the anti-extradition movement was launched in 2019 that the situation of "not cutting seats" emerged.

"Not being selfish" is basically done. He didn't use the media to seek personal gain for the boss, but he also sought political interests for the political party he wanted. "Not blind" is a self-encouraging word, and how much you do is a matter of opinion.

But Jimmy Lai's biggest mistake is exactly what he deserves the most respect, that is, he abides by the law and believes too much in the rule of law. He ran Apple Daily in the first two years of 1997 because he believed that the CCP would abide by the Basic Law and that peaceful struggle for democracy would truly realize Hong Kong people's rule of Hong Kong. They do not know that the most taboo of the CCP is not violent protests, but striving for people's autonomy by peaceful means in accordance with the law.

What would Hong Kong be like without "Apple"? At least there is no more media to expose the dark side of the political and business circles. Because, aside from Next Media, no one media can be trusted to truly protect the source. For example, the report of the chief executive to the central government that was revealed earlier.

Kannie, my assistant when I edited the forum, wrote a good article on facebook yesterday. She said, "I don't want to and will not say goodbye to Apple. How can I say goodbye to a spirit? Especially in today's Hong Kong."

To quote Churchill again: "Success is not the end, failure is not the end, only courage is eternal." The courage to pursue the "four nos" is the spirit of Apple. It's deeply rooted in people's hearts.

(Article published on June 23, 2021)

"Memoirs of a Loser" serial catalog (continuously updated)

1. Inscription
2. break through
3. Inside the circle outside the circle
4. murderous
5. torment
6. hurt
7. turbulent times
8. choice
9. that age
10. twisted history
11. prophet
12. Liberal final blow
13. my family
14. Occupied area life
15. Paradise under the Wang regime
16. Art and Literature in Occupied Areas
17. Father and Occupied Area Drama
18. Uncle Li's Tragedy
19. flee
20. The Fool's Experience, The Wise's History
21. After the war, from Shanghai to Peiping
22. ancient country style
23. when swallows come
24. under the left-wing ideology
25. 1948 Tree Falling Hozen scattered
26. Pig male dog male turtle male
27. The success and failure of "Apple"
28. How can you say goodbye to a spirit?

 ("Memoirs of a Loser" was previously serialized in "Apple Daily" and is now being continuously updated by Matters)