RTHK Warned Over Airing Song With Foul Language

The Communications Authority (CA) on Tuesday warned RTHK to take more care in complying with broadcasting rules, after finding that the public broadcaster had breached the Radio Programme Code by airing a song containing foul language.

A song called “Jackie Chan” was broadcast on December 15, 2019 on the Simon Willson programme on Radio 3.

The CA ruled that “foul expressions” were “clearly audible and were found a few times in the song."

Those expressions were blatantly offensive and unacceptable for broadcast”, it said in a statement.

Noting that this was the third violation by RTHK over language in less than two years, the CA decided that RTHK should be warned “to observe more closely the relevant provision of the Radio Programme Code.”

The authority also gave a “reminder” for the public broadcaster to also comply with regulations on TV advertisements.

It had received complaints about a programme called Weather Forecast that was produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and simulcast on RTHK TV 33 and 33A on September 30.

It had contained several references to a liquor brand, both during the programme and in a commercial break.

While the authority ruled that this was a breach of the TV advertising code, it noted that RTHK had just relayed the programme under its agreement with CCTV and described it as an isolated incident.

It said as such, “the CA decided that no sanction be imposed on RTHK. However, RTHK was reminded to liaise with CCTV more closely to ensure future compliance with the relevant provision.”

The CA had over the past several months repeatedly admonished RTHK for a number of violations – including a finding that the now-suspended TV satire Headliner had insulted the police.