They might be charging to scoop up reader information. Savvy readers would realize that creates self censorship as far as comments and rebuttals to thier articles.
Regardless their content is not worth paying for nor spending time on IMO. It's digital so you can't use it for your dog to shit on so no utlity in other ways like the free papers handed out such as the HK Standard IMO.
HKFP readership is going to spike!