Host chided for tourist float victim comments
Metro Broadcast has been censured over 'tasteless' comments by a talk show host.
The Broadcasting Authority issued a warning to the station after a host on Hit Radio's Morning Internet programme remarked that the death of a tourist hit by a runaway float during Lunar New Year celebrations was 'for the glory of China'.
Briton Brenda Stevens, 45, was crushed by the Better Hong Kong Foundation's float on February 7 after its driver lost consciousness.
The chairman of the complaints committee, Joyce Tai Poon Ching-sheung, said the comments were tasteless and 'totally uncalled for'.
'During the course of his dialogue, the gist of what he said was 'a foreigner being killed was for the glory of China'.' She said harsher action was not needed as the comment was not maliciously racist but a 'slip of the tongue'.
'His choice of words was very unfortunate particularly as this incident was such a tragedy,' she said.
Metro chief Philip Chan Yan-kin said host Yau Ching-yuen's comments were taken out of context.
'He was trying to explain the absurdity of certain situations where something bad can be cited by some people as something good. He was being cynical and attacking this way of thinking.' TVB was also warned after a promotion was aired on its Jade channel during family hours on October 10 showing a girl's deformed breasts.
The station was also criticised over the October 9 episode of drama serial Justice Sung which featured scenes of torture and murder, also during family hours.
The Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority is also investigating an incident of swearing allegedly aired on Saturday night during a charity programme on the channel.
