Lawmakers Target RTHK, Govt Over New Post

The government's proposal to create a new permanent civil servant deputy director post at RTHK came in for criticism by opposition lawmakers on Wednesday, while pro-establishment legislators targeted the broadcaster for what they alleged was its biased coverage and wastefulness.

The position of “deputy director of broadcasting in administration and development”, was originally created in 2011 as a “supernumerary” role to coordinate major developments. Now the government says it should be made a permanent post to coordinate the station's development projects.

But opposition lawmakers claimed the new post is being created as an attempt to make the public broadcaster a “government mouthpiece”.

People Power’s Raymond Chan questioned why the government has made the change despite leaving another deputy director role for programme production vacant.

The Civic Party’s Kwok Ka-ki said he was worried that room for expression at RTHK will dwindle as a result.

But permanent secretary for commerce and economic development, Clement Leung, said the post had to be made permanent one as continuity is needed because part of the job duty is to deal with finding a new headquarters for RTHK.

During a Legco establishment subcommittee meeting, the pro-government lawmakers criticised the broadcaster for its "bias".

The DAB’s Elizabeth Quat said RTHK’s news programmes and talk shows are “skewed and critical of the government”.

“I have received a number of complaints over the impartiality of RTHK,” she said. “Many commentaries were not really fair,” she said.

Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Lo Wai-kwok said the public broadcaster is “wasting resources”.

“I have seen a TV programme by RTHK documenting baking a cake in slow motion – without any narration,” he said. “I found it very laughable”. He also said he had seen another show following a tortoise around.

Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing defended the series aired by RTHK’s Channel 32. He said it's a format used overseas as well and is called “slow television”.

Leung also told the lawmaker that the channel had been improving its offerings and has now incorporated more sports shows.

Meanwhile, the RTHK Programme Staff Union issued a statement opposing the new post, saying its administrative departments have been interfering with personnel appointments, and installing an administrative officer as RTHK’s permanent deputy head will make things worse.