Merge RTHK With Govt PR Department: Junius Ho

Pro-government lawmaker Junius Ho on Friday called for Radio Television Hong Kong to be merged with the government's public relations unit, as he took over as chairman of Legco's IT and broadcasting panel.

The opposition camp had strongly opposed Ho taking up the chairman role, fearing he would target the public broadcaster which has faced allegations of bias against the police since last year's social unrest erupted.

Ho, who has been a fierce critic of RTHK programmes, said he believed the station should be merged with the Information Services Department, whose mission includes promoting the administration's policies with a view to "projecting an accurate image of the city".

Just before voting took place to select a new panel head, Ho said he wanted lawmakers to discuss the future of RTHK.

"I'd like to add an item [on the panel's agenda]...that is how can we have the coordination between RTHK and the Information Services Department. What is undesirable is that they come under two different bureaus," he said.

Democratic Party legislator Ted Hui, who also ran in the panel election, complained that Ho has been one of the "leading figures in attacking RTHK".

Alvin Yeung from the Civic Party, meanwhile, questioned Ho's suitability for the role as he has no experience and knowledge of the IT and broadcasting sectors.

Ho admitted that he will have a "steep learning curve", but pledged to learn more about the industries.

"I will seize every opportunity to learn... Everyone has room for improvement, so do I in this area," he said.

Ho stormed out in the middle of an RTHK interview last year after arguing with former pro-democracy legislator Chu Hoi-dick.

He has also accused the station of targeting him over claims that he was involved in the violent gang rampage in Yuen Long on July 21 last year which put dozens of people in hospital.