Jimmy Lai, an optimist on press freedom

Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai, one of Hong Kong's tycoons and the most influential publisher, tells Newsweek how he experienced the past decade in Hong Kong. Back in 1997 when China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong everybody, including Lai himself thought he would be in deep trouble. He was not. From Newsweek: (h/t CDT)
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The press has been free. But a lot of the media has gone into self-censorship, either because they're so afraid or purely for economic considerations. They think that if they lean the Chinese government's way they will get [financial] benefits, or that by getting close to power they will become the voice of China. Still, there hasn't been any persecution or suppression.

What has been your strategy at Next Media?
We are the opposition media here, but we've never had a journalist arrested in Hong Kong. In China, some have been detained for a few days, then released. But [the foreign media] have had this happen, too. I have not been allowed in China for more than 10 years, and our reporters have to work there on tourist visas. But we've never been intimidated, persecuted or threatened. [Beijing] has tried very hard to keep the promise of one country, two systems.

One of the media his refers to is of course the South China Morning Post, who started to stiffle its more outspoken journalists. Even if Jimmy Lai took at risk back in 1997, it has proved to be the commercially better gamble.

Update: I was just wondering why I had not seen this interview before, but then discovered it was already published in 2007. Since it makes sense anyway, I will keep it here.