Political censorship feared in rejection of Democrat's bus ads
Wu Chi-wai, Democratic Party candidate for Kowloon East, said yesterday his attempt to broadcast election adverts on buses had been rejected, raising concerns about political censorship.
Mr Wu said he was told on Tuesday that his advert had failed to obtain the 'internal approval' of Roadshow, the advertising agent which telecasts on Kowloon Motor Bus, Citybus, New World First Bus and minibuses.
A Roadshow spokesman said Mr Wu's advertising clip had not complied with an internal 'corporate advertising' rule but did not elaborate.
Mr Wu said the advertising agent refused to give a written explanation for its rejection but suggested the clip was 'calling for action'.
'I cannot speculate as to the reason behind it and I think it is imposing over-tight restrictions,' he said. 'I fear it is exercising unnecessary political censorship.'
The rejected clip, which lasts about 30 seconds, features Mr Wu's election slogan, 'New generation supports a new generation', in his bid to win a third Kowloon East seat for the pan-democratic camp.
Democratic Party veteran Szeto Wah, who previously represented the constituency in the Legislative Council, appears in the clip and says: 'Wu Chi-wai, this road is difficult to follow.'
Last month, Roadshow telecast a Democratic Party election advert featuring all candidates contesting the five geographical constituencies.
'They did not say why the first clip was OK but not the second one,' Mr Wu said, 'It is very disappointing and there is no convincing reason for that.'
He said he had told Roadshow he was posting the election advert as a Legco candidate, but the advertising agent did not say such adverts had to comply with certain rules.
The Roadshow spokesman refused to say why the party's first clip had been approved but not the second one. He also declined to say if any other political parties or Legco candidates had applied to broadcast adverts.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong candidate Choy So-yuk, who is contesting the Hong Kong Island constituency, received a second threatening letter in two weeks.
