(Clearwisdom.net)

Three days before the verdict of case of Hong Kong government vs. Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners on charges of obstructing traffic, obstructing Police and assaulting Police, Apple Daily had received a request to publish an advertisement about Falun Gong on August 15, the day a verdict in the case involving 16 Falun Gong practitioners was due to be handed down. We had decided then not to accept the advertisement for fear of perverting the course of justice, as the trial had not been completed.

The mass media must bear responsibility for social justice and freedom of speech as both things should be above everything. Following an internal discussion, we now feel that the decision not to accept the advertisement at the time was wrong and we would use this opportunity to apologize to our readers and Falun Gong-related individuals.

Editor, Apple Daily

August 23, 2002