Following the closure of two newspapers and a magazine, a new paper will be born in Hong Kong in either June or July this year. The newcomer, Apple Daily, is owned by Mr. Jimmy Lai Chi Ying, who also owns Next Magazine. Mr. Loh Chan is the designated editor-in-chief.
We interviewed Mr. Loh to learn more about the project.
Q: What is the objective of Apple Daily? Does it aim at making social commitment?
A: We do our job according to the money invested. Jimmy Lai has invested $700,000,000 in our paper for a 3- year operation. So, we will employ a group of highly qualified staff. The establishment will be 400. Firstly, our editorial strategy is to speak for Hong Kong on the post-transitional period. We aim at providing basic information and entertainment, like racing news, to Hong Kong people in their busy and stressful lives. Our main target is attracting all the demographics in Hong Kong and to reach a circulation of 200,000.
Q: Being a newcomer, what do you think will be the greatest obstacle in this competitive newspaper market?
A: I believe the most difficult step to walk on is changing the reading behaviour of the readers. As most people read only one newspaper as a habit, we must chase readers away from the established mass circulation dailies.
Q: Do you think the reading preferences of readers has changed from a political one to infotainment?
A: Infotainment is the mainstream in the press market now. While most Hong Kong people only want to get basic information from the press and then earn as much money as possible before 1997, political issues are not unimportant. But they can be too minor or complicated.
Q: As 1997 is approaching, to what extent do you think political factors will affect the development of the newspaper market?
A: 1 cannot see any influence on our market. Of course, there are more and more commentaries and reports on political issues at this critical moment. According to the Joint Declaration, there will be "one country, two systems". Lu Ping once said the Communist Party would not afraid of criticism. Yet, we think mutual communication should be established.
Q:What is your opinion on the recent closure of the political commentary Contemporary Monthly?
A: I think the owners did not have a good financial plan to run the magazine. All the social commitment goes away when there is financial problem. Political commentaries have not lost the market; they just need to postion themselves in a niche market instead of the mass one.
Q: What do you think of the prospects for this market?
A: Optimistic, I am sure. And I hope more potential, far-sighted and daring investors will enter the newspaper market. This will surely make the industry more colourful.