HONG KONG - Breaking away from a long-standing tradition, the advisory body of Radio Television Hong Kong on Thursday told the public broadcaster to abide by its guidelines, after its satirical show mocking the police drew criticism from the public.
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Chairman of the RTHK Board of Advisors Eugene Chan Kin-keung said the board has requested explanations from the city’s sole broadcaster and demanded that it properly follow its charter.
All programs must be accurate and impartial, Chan said in an interview with China Daily. He urged the station, which produces both television and radio programs, to follow up on the complaints about its satirical show, Headliner, whose two recent episodes allegedly spread misinformation about the police.
Board of Advisors Chairman Eugene Chan Kin-keung has requested RTHK shows to abide by the public broadcaster's charter, which requires accurate and impartial news and information
Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung had slammed the program’s Feb 14 episode for creating the wrong impression and spreading misinformation about the police force. The episode, which drew criticism and protests, implied that police officers had stockpiled medical masks and protective gear amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Tang also complained about another episode aired on Feb 28, in which the show’s host made fun of several deaths that the police had closed as cases with “no suspicious circumstances” from June to January.
The police filed a letter of complaint against the two episodes with the Communications Authority and the director of broadcasting on March 3.
The Communications Authority said on Tuesday it had received more than 3,300 complaints about the show from Feb 14 to March 13, and will deal with them in accordance with established procedures.
“The charter requires RTHK to provide accurate and impartial news, information, perspectives and analyses,” Chan said, adding that the charter should be applied to all programs with “no exception and no exemption”.
RTHK replied to Chan on March 13, saying Headliner is a satirical show and that’s the way it has been produced.
On March 13, dozens of people protested outside RTHK’s headquarters in Kowloon Tong, accusing the broadcaster of spreading hatred to divide the city.
On the same day, Chan and other advisers met with RTHK’s operators and made three suggestions accordingly.
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Chan said all shows should be produced in accordance with the RTHK charter, which requires accurate and impartial news and information to be promoted. He suggested that the director of the broadcaster meet regularly with advisers and take the board’s views into account. If the board’s comments are not accepted, the director should make a report giving a full explanation, Chan added.
The board’s comments angered an RTHK staff union member, who accused the board of “interfering” in the broadcaster’s daily operations.
Chan dismissed such a claim, saying it’s the board’s duty to inquire about the program’s stance and give advice.
“We’re just doing what we should do under the RTHK charter,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Communications Authority on Thursday issued an order, urging RTHK to strictly apply its principle of not using abusive and vulgar language after a radio host used offensive language during a show in July.
Chan said he was disappointed with the incident and fully supported the Communications Authority’s decision.
