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Quinton Chan

Panel calls for new, independent  public service broadcaster

Hong Kong needs a new, independent public broadcaster, but it should not be formed by transforming RTHK, an independent review panel has concluded.

The Committee on Review of Public Service Broadcasting  considers it would be 'inappropriate and unfair' for the new public broadcaster to inherit the bureaucratic structure and work culture of RTHK,  which is a government department, said a source familiar with the  report.

'The RTHK has been in operation for many decades, but we are talking about a brand new body here. We should not put old wine into a new bottle,' he said.

The review report, to be released within the next few weeks, will not mention RTHK's future.

'There could be many ways to handle RTHK. It can remain the same as it is or be merged with the Information Services Department. The government could even trim the size of RTHK by introducing a voluntary retirement scheme,'  the source said.

Other sources close to the review committee said the report would recommend that a preparatory body be formed to set up the new broadcaster when the legislation for the station is being drafted and scrutinised. The panel expects the new broadcaster to be launched within 18 to 24 months after a final decision is made.

The source said having a  new body could avoid difficulties faced by the government in similar cases, such as the corporatisation of the KCRC in the 1980s and the formation in the early 1990s of the Hospital Authority to take over the management of public hospitals formerly run by the medical and health services department.

'If RTHK was transformed as the new broadcaster, then it might get bogged down by the same problems that afflicted the KCRC and Hospital Authority, such as having too many senior managers and consultant doctors as civil service pay is too high, said the source.

'Staff unions at RTHK are opposed to any direct transfer to the new body, since they want to remain as civil servants.

'The new broadcaster, as an independent body, should not be staffed by civil servants. You cannot enjoy the best of worlds, in that you are a civil servant but you are independent from the authorities.

'But all broadcasting talents are welcome to join the new body.'

The sources said a public consultation exercise would be launched before officials decide the way forward.

The seven-member panel, headed by veteran journalist Raymond Roy Wong, was set up in January last year to look into the future of public broadcasting in the city, sparking fears the government was trying to erode RTHK's editorial independence.

According to its plan, the public broadcaster should be independent from the government structure and staffed by non-civil servants, with its independent status spelled out in a policy statement and enshrined in legislation.

The government should have the power to name less than a third of its governing board. The chief executive should be able to choose several board members without formal input from the public, but would have to appoint others nominated by professional groups.

It should have radio channels and its own TV channel rather than having its programmes aired by commercial stations, the review will say. Its programmes should be diverse but seek to provide what is lacking in commercial broadcasting to offer the public real choices.

The public broadcaster should be accountable to the Audit Commission, the Ombudsman, the Broadcasting Authority and the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority. External assessors should be appointed.



Broadcast review rules out RTHK