Police To Follow Up On RTHK 'hate Speech'

The police force on Tuesday said it will take ‘appropriate follow-up action' against RTHK, a day after the communications regulator slapped the public broadcaster with a serious warning for airing unsubstantiated comments it said could be regarded as ‘hate speech’ against police.

The Communications Authority (CA) had said a guest host on the opinion show "Pentaprism" aired on November 20, 2019, had made inaccurate and unfair comments as he spoke about clashes at the Polytechnic and Chinese universities, and the broadcaster was negligent in failing to vet the accuracy of the statements.

In a statement, a police spokesman welcomed the CA’s decision.

“Police are willing to accept criticisms which are constructive and based on goodwill. However, Police absolutely do not accept inaccurate or misleading reports and remarks, and will follow up as appropriate”, he said.

The spokesman did not elaborate on what action would be taken.

“Since the anti-extradition protests in June last year, rumours have been circulating to defame and smear the force, with an attempt to disrupt police-community relations. Police expressed strong condemnation against it”, the spokesman added.