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Pro-government supporters create a “Lennon Wall” at the RTHK headquarters in Kowloon Tong on August 24, to protest against the publicly funded broadcaster, which they accuse of biased reporting, demanding it stop carrying anti-government messages. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
OpinionLetters

Letters | RTHK must be allowed to continue its excellent work and not be turned into a propaganda machine

  • The government-funded broadcaster has a 90-year tradition of quality programming and presenting a diversity of opinions. To lose this voice is to lose the beating heart of Hong Kong
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Thank you RTHK for being the beating heart of Hong Kong for over 90 years.

As a listener and viewer of RTHK for many years, I am writing to express my appreciation for its unswerving commitment to Hong Kong over the last nine decades.

The broadcasting service endeavours to promote the use of English and heighten cultural awareness in Hong Kong. It runs Radio 3, an English channel, with some Nepali and Urdu programming, and Radio 4, a music channel.

Radio 3 is the only local licensed free-to-air station that produces all of its programmes in English while other local English channels fill part of their schedules with programmes acquired overseas to comply with licensing requirements. Its flagship programmes include Backchat, which discusses current issues, 123 Show, which covers cultural news and thematic interviews, and Teen Time, which includes a section for secondary school students to talk about topics of interest. Radio 3 is truly one of a kind in serving the local English-speaking community as the city strives to consolidate its status as an international metropolis.

What exactly does the Hong Kong government want RTHK to be?

Radio 4 makes classical music programmes its special focus. There appears to be no other local licensed media agency that does so, on radio or on television. Those keen to promote social harmony should listen to its music appreciation programmes.

RTHK’s privilege of being free of commercial considerations allows it to pursue quality programming of a wide variety, such as shows for the ethnic minority community, philosophical discussions and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Some express concern over the impartiality of the public broadcaster’s documentaries and current affairs programmes, and suggest turning it into a propaganda machine. This is unnecessary as domestic free programme services are already required to broadcast publicity and announcements from the government.
Besides, the government-funded station makes every effort to offer balanced discussions on socially contentious topics by featuring stakeholders holding different views. This can please no one for there are bound to be opinions opposite to yours, which is the hallmark of diversity. To lose this voice is to lose the heart of Hong Kong.

John Ng, Lai Chi Kok

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