RTHK's Acting Deputy Director Quits Post

RTHK's acting deputy director of broadcasting, Kirindi Chan, has resigned.

Chan had taken up the post less than a year ago.

The 58-year-old’s resignation comes as the public broadcaster is embroiled in a series of controversies regarding the impartiality of its programmes.

RTHK said Chan submitted her resignation on June 1, and it will take effect in September. It said Chan resigned over health reasons.

The station thanked her for her more than 30 years of contribution, adding that work is underway to find a suitable replacement.

Chan, a veteran producer, had spent over two decades making and overseeing current affairs TV shows.

The announcement of Chan's departure came hot on the heels of a decision by the broadcaster to produce a 20-episode TV programme exploring the upcoming national security law, after a government-appointed board of advisers said the broadcaster needs to “embrace” the legislation.

In a statement, the RTHK Programme Staff Union said it is saddening that Chan is resigning at a time when the public broadcaster is undergoing tremendous difficulties.

The union said it respects her decision, and thanked her for safeguarding editorial independence. It said her departure has sparked concern over an increase in attacks on the station, adding that RTHK staff will continue to defend the public's right to information.

It also called on the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau not to appoint an administrative officer into her position, saying it should respect the internal promotion mechanism within RTHK.

In 2016, the union had protested publicly over what it said was the delayed promotion of Chan who was acting assistant director at the time.

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