Pan-democrats hit out reform package broadcasts by RTHK
Pan-democrat legislators criticised RTHK for repeatedly broadcasting announcements of public interest for the government's 2012 political reform package.
The fact that Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's speeches about his 'Act Now' reform campaign were aired on the station's Chinese and English programmes - Radio 1's Hong Kong Letter and Radio 3's Letter to Hong Kong - also ruffled the pan-democrats' feathers.
The criticism came during a Legco information technology and broadcasting panel meeting yesterday when lawmakers and deputations discussed the future operation of the RTHK and the new RTHK Charter.
Several pan-democrats complained about the repeated announcements. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Wing-tat said the use of RTHK in their broadcast brought into question the station's independence.
Cyd Ho Sau-lan questioned if the unusual decision to air Tsang's speeches was made by the station and said that if it was the government's plan, the station would be the administration's mouthpiece.
The Director of Broadcasting, Franklin Wong Wah-kay, was unable to give a clear response on whether RTHK has the right to refuse to broadcast such announcements. However, he told legislators that any broadcaster would be interested in airing matters of new government policy. He did not say who took the initiative in airing Tsang's speeches.
Pan-democrats doubted if an advisory committee whose members would be appointed by Tsang should be set up, fearing the station would avoid criticising the government if it was established.
Wong responded: 'I would do anything to protect editorial independence.'
