Occupy-linked DJs dumped as Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK rejects censorship accusations
Management says staff concerns about axing of programmes hosted by Occupy activists are unfounded and changes were made for benefit of audiences
RTHK’s management has rejected staff concerns about possible politically motivated censorship after the public broadcaster scrapped two programmes hosted by DJs who were activists in the Occupy movement in 2014.
In a statement released on Thursday, the RTHK Programme Staff Union said there was concern among the public that the station might cut back discussions on politics and curb freedom of expression.
But RTHK dismissed such fears, and also added that its Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing had not been involved in the changes.
“There are also reports suggesting that the changes were ordered by the director, which is not true,” said RTHK management spokeswoman Amen Ng Man-yee.
“He was never involved in the discussion on the programme reshuffle, and was only notified of the new programming afterwards.”
Ng stressed the revamp was made for the benefit of RTHK’s audience.
Chan Ka-ming, who hosts phone-in entertainment show Sik Si Fung, said he had received instructions to downplay certain sensitive subjects such as the pro-democracy Occupy protests.
“I do not know who was giving such instructions to us through the producers, but we all felt the pressure,” he said.