Fears at RTHK as veteran 'forced out'

RTHK staff say they are "deeply concerned" about freedom of expression and the role of the public broadcaster after a veteran producer failed to secure a contract renewal.

The contract of executive producer Gary Pollard, of the English television section, will end next month. Pollard, 61, said management told him the station decided last year not to renew contracts for anyone over 60, and "they are going to stick to that".

That was despite two failed attempts this year to replace him, the English television section said in a statement with the RTHK Programme Staff Union.

"Veteran broadcasters are being forced out one by one and silenced in public broadcasting," they said in the joint statement, released yesterday. "We are deeply concerned that freedom of expression and the role of public broadcasting are being weakened and restricted."

Pollard, an RTHK veteran of about 30 years, is on a non-civil-service contract. He has overseen 140 shows this year, including The Pulse and In Conversation - more than anyone else at RTHK, he said. He did not consider himself "radical". "We do criticise government officials … but that's what ordinary newsmen do."

An RTHK spokesman said politics was never part of its hiring decisions, and employing staff over the retirement age depended on whether it had special operational needs. Twenty-seven employees would turn 60 in the coming year, he said.