RTHK Reopens Probe Into Reporter Nabela Qoser

The staff union at Radio Television Hong Kong said on Sunday that it had learnt that the public broadcaster has reopened an investigation into complaints against a reporter who drew the ire of pro-government figures for her tough questioning of the authorities during last year's social unrest.

The reporter, Nabela Qoser, has also been informed that her three-year probation period as a civil servant will be extended by another 120 days, according to the RTHK Programme Staff Union.

Qoser's confrontational approach towards Chief Executive Carrie Lam and other officials at press conferences during the months of anti-government protests was praised by many, but denounced as aggressive and biased by others.

"Where were you all last night?," she had asked Lam, for example, the day after the Yuen Long gang attack on July 21 which put dozens of people in hospital.

The complaints against the reporter which are being re-examined were made between July and November last year.

The union questioned why the investigation into Qoser is being reopened after it had been concluded and said it would be seeking information as to who made the decision. It described the move as "unreasonable suppression".

The union said appraisals are used to assess the performance of members of staff and extending an employee's probation period because of an investigation was "extremely unusual".

Qoser was believed to have been given until Tuesday to decide whether to accept the extension of her probation. Asked about the situation, she said it was not convenient for her to comment.

RTHK spokeswoman Amen Ng said the government has established mechanisms and procedures to handle employment matters relating to civil servants. Ng said the public broadcaster does not comment on individual cases.