Editorial | Consultation needed on proposal to waive the impartiality rule

The national security law has redefined norms and boundaries in Hong Kong over the past three years. Like it or not, this is something to be reckoned with.

The latest move is a proposed exemption so that television and radio broadcasts need not remain “impartial” when they involve national security, national education and national identity. Given the implications for programme production and public communication, the suggestion deserves thorough discussion.

Since February, broadcasters need to produce no less than 30 minutes of programmes each week on national education, national identity and the national security law. The Communication Authority said licensees had concerns that there might be complaints that no opposing views are included, and the inclusion of objections to the national security law just for the sake of observing impartiality might be seen as breaching the law.

“There is a case to stipulate that the impartiality requirement is not applicable to such programmes,” the authority said in a consultation document. It also seeks to exempt programmes from “reputable” broadcasters in mainland China.

Broadcasters are understandably concerned that they may be accused of being one-sided by just airing the official view. However, it probably takes more authoritative legal advice to determine whether the inclusion of opposing views would amount to violation of the law.

But as far as national security is concerned, there seems to be little room for dissent. This has been reflected in the elaboration of the relevant details by the authorities since its introduction in 2020.