RTHK Staff Protest Over Nabela Qoser Saga

More than 60 RTHK employees gathered outside the station's headquarters on Thursday to protest against the treatment of well-known reporter Nabela Qoser, who has been stripped of her civil service contract.

The group wore black and masks bearing Qoser’s face, standing in silence for about about 15 minutes outside Broadcasting House in Kowloon Tong.

They then chanted slogans such as "We are also Nabela Qoser" and "Today it's Nabela Qoser, tomorrow it could be you or me".

Some held placards criticising the management's treatment of Qoser, who has been targeted by pro-Beijing figures because of her tough questioning of officials during the unrest of 2019.

RTHK management carried out an investigation into complaints made against Qoser during the protests, but they reopened it again last year, extending the journalist's probationary period.

Last week, Qoser was told the re-opened probe was not yet complete and while her civil service contract was being terminated, she could accept a new 120-day contract instead.

"Just now, there was an action with a group of RTHK colleagues who found the whole investigation and treatment of Ms Qoser’s employment terms problematic," said Gladys Chiu, chairwoman of RTHK's Programme Staff Union.

Chiu was also critical of Deputy Director of Broadcasting Eugene Fung, saying he had "declined to make any black and white reply to Ms Qoser over the progress and also timetable of the investigation".

Thursday was the deadline for the reporter to accept or decline the new contract, but Chiu said Qoser was yet to make a decision.

"Today is supposed to be the deadline for her reply. But I think from the point of view of the staff union, informing her only seven days in advance was unacceptable," Chiu said.

She added that Fung's boss, Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing, should intervene in the saga.

"Mr Leung has all the right to right the wrong made by his subordinates, and we look forward to him exercising his rightful power to make sure that Ms Qoser’s case is being duly and rightfully processed according to governmental procedures and rules."