REUTERS: Next Digital, a Hong Kong media business, stated on Thursday that it received an email from the solicitors of its chief executive officer, Cheung Kim-hung, indicating that he had resigned due to the company’s involvement in national security investigations. Apple Daily, a prominent pro-democracy daily that recently closed after its newsroom was searched by 500 police officials investigating if some articles violated the security law, is published by Next Digital, which is owned by imprisoned media billionaire Jimmy Lai.
Cheung’s resignation letters for his positions as executive director, chief executive officer, member of the executive committee and nominating committee, as well as his other positions within the group, were received by the firm through email, with effect from June 30.
Given Cheung’s stay in custody, the business stated it will inquire whether the basis for his resignation and whether he had any disagreements with the board.
Cheung was charged earlier this month with “collusion with a foreign country or external elements to damage national security” under the region’s disputed national security law, which has drawn international censure and sparked fears about the financial hub’s media freedoms.
Hung Chi Keung, the media company’s chief financial officer, was also retiring, according to Next Digital, but he stated that he was leaving for personal reasons and that he had no disagreements with the board.
The corporation also announced the resignation of its chief operating officer.
According to an internal document seen by Reuters last week, the media organization would cease operations on July 1 after its assets were frozen.
(Tejaswi Marthi in Bengaluru contributed reporting; Hugh Lawson edited the piece.)/n
