RTHK Gets Warning Over 'biased' Programmes

The Communications Authority has issued a warning to RTHK over four episodes of its personal view programme "Pentaprism" that were found to be one-sided and biased against the police.

The authority said the shows – aired between September and November last year at the height of the anti-government protests – featured guests who criticised the police but failed to give the force a suitable opportunity to respond.

Among the topics covered were the police storming of the Prince Edward MTR station on August 31 and the shooting by an officer of a demonstrator in Sai Wan Ho on November 11.

One complaint was received about the four episodes.

RTHK said the shows in question have been removed from its website.

It's not the first time that "Pentaprism" has run foul of Communications Authority regulations. Earlier this year, RTHK was given a "serious warning" for an episode in which a guest was found to have made inflammatory, anti-police remarks relating to the clashes at Polytechnic and Chinese universities last year.

Two Commercial Radio programmes, "Clearday Breakfast" and "On a Clear Day", were also singled out by the authority on Tuesday after they drew one complaint.

Three editions of the shows were found to have made derogatory and damaging remarks about the police in protest-related incidents.

Commercial Radio was strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions of the Radio Programme Code.

There were also complaints about TVB over inaccurate information in its news programmes in October 2019 and June this year. The station was given an advice by the authorities.