Tell China, HK Stories Well, Outgoing RTHK Chief Says

The outgoing head of RTHK on Thursday urged the public broadcaster to continue upholding its charter and demonstrate how a media outlet can do a good job in ‘telling the China and Hong Kong stories well’.

In a letter to colleagues on his last day as the Director of Broadcasting, Patrick Li said RTHK had faced numerous challenges when he first took the post in March last year, but staff banded together to overcome these difficulties and put the station back on the right track by adhering to its charter and its mission as a public broadcaster.

Li – who is set to become the new permanent secretary for security on July 1 – also noted that the station has broadcast a variety of programming on different platforms to enhance the people’s understanding of the nation, and of the one country, two systems principle. These programmes, he added, were very well-received.

The broadcast chief also said viewers and listeners will be able to gain an even greater understanding of the country’s latest developments, and its culture, by tuning in to two channels of the China Media Group from July 1. RTHK will be relaying CGTN Documentary on its new TV34 channel, while Radio The Greater Bay will be broadcast on FM 102.8.

Li added that he’s proud of the broadcaster’s efforts in quickly transforming its TV32 channel into an anti-epidemic channel during the fifth wave of the Covid outbreak here, providing updated and accurate information to the public.

“The RTHK team is a very professional and outstanding team. I hope colleagues can continue to move forward and accomplish its mission as a public service broadcaster by actively upholding the charter, to demonstrate how mainstream media can tell the China story, and tell the Hong Kong story well through its actions and by upholding its responsibilities,” he concluded.