Another RTHK Programme Dropped At The Last Minute

Another RTHK television programme has been pulled from the schedule at the last minute, with no word from the station's management as to why the decision was taken.

The latest show to be dropped is an episode of the documentary series Hong Kong Connection which centred on issues facing university student unions. It had been due to be broadcast on Monday evening.

Polytechnic University is the only government-funded university to have an operating student union cabinet this year. The cabinet at Chinese University, Syzygia, resigned en masse earlier this month, after the institution cut ties with it over public statements the university said could potentially breach the national security law.

A programme synopsis that was later deleted from RTHK's website said the show featured interviews with the two student union cabinets, CUHK council member and pro-government lawmaker Lau Kwok-fan, and another pro-establishment legislator, Eunice Yung.

Sharie Ho, Syzygia's former deputy chairperson who was interviewed for the programme, said she had expected the episode to be axed, and was sorry that the production team's efforts had gone to waste.

"We think letting one person decide whether a programme can go out or not... is very insulting to the dedicated workers at RTHK, and insulting to the wisdom of Hong Kong people," she said.

Yung, for her part, said dropping the show was not the best way to deal with any problems it might have had.

"I hope [the new Director of Broadcasting Patrick Li] is in good communications with you [RTHK staff] on how to abide by the code of practice or guidelines," said the New People's Party legislator.

"Of course, for me as a guest, this is not the best way to do about it. We have all spent time and effort on the programme... I hope there is a breaking-in period, and views will be exchanged on the production."

The public broadcaster has axed a number of its shows – including episodes of Legco Review and Hong Kong Stories – since Li took over as director of broadcasting earlier this month.