IT Lawmaker Issues Rallying Cry In Support Of RTHK

The lawmaker representing the information technology sector, Charles Mok, on Sunday said the public must counter "divisive and politically motivated" attacks on Radio Television Hong Kong.

Speaking on the public broadcaster's Letter to Hong Kong programme, Mok thanked RTHK's staff for their dedication, steadfastness, and utter professionalism. He said many people from his generation grew up being entertained and educated by RTHK programmes.

But he said that since the handover, the broadcaster had come under increasing scrutiny and pressure from those who want to see it turned into an official government mouthpiece.

He said the station had even faced persecution from the administration itself, as "Beijing interferes with the affairs of Hong Kong more and more blatantly and directly."

Mok said there was even talk that the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office had told Chief Executive Carrie Lam to "rein in" RTHK.

The lawmaker called on the public to continue to listen to and watch RTHK, as well as view, like and share its programmes on social media, and sign the online petition to support RTHK and urge the Director of Broadcasting to stand firm.

And the IT legislator said that, given the choice between bailing out an ailing Ocean Park or saving RTHK, he was sure the people of Hong Kong would choose the broadcaster.