RTHK Task Force Lacks Any Independence: Charles Mok

IT sector lawmaker Charles Mok has slammed the government's decision to set up a task force to review the broadcaster’s management, describing it as an "unprecedented move to control the public broadcaster".

Speaking at Legco on Thursday, Mok said that the review panel "totally lacks independence", and that he was worried that the team may intervene in programme direction and standards, eventually turning the station into the administration's mouthpiece.

He said the panel should not be led by government officials who will report to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB). Instead, he said, the government could have looked to previous examples of review committees, which were made up of outside individuals, academics, or leading figures from relevant industries.

“It seems like the bureau and its various branches are executing an order to further control RTHK, and with the formation of this particular task force or committee, it is also headed by the permanent secretary of CEDB," Mok said.

"So it’s the same organisation under the same political appointee, which is the secretary, to execute probably his wishes on influencing or controlling RTHK."

He also expressed concerns that a review – which will look at all major aspects of RTHK, including administration, financial control, human resources management and resource deployment to make sure it complies with government rules and regulations – will be completed by the end of this year.

"So that means that there will be no due process for not only RTHK but possibly for the public to reflect their concerns. So I think this is yet another example of the bureau and the secretary trying to manipulate for a quick result to totally control RTHK."

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