RTHK union slams government's 'hasty' decision to move ATV services to public broadcaster

The RTHK staff union last night lambasted the commerce minister's decision to have the public broadcaster take over ATV's television channels.

That decision was made in haste, the union said in a meeting called to discuss the new role of providing analogue television services that had been thrust upon their organisation.

"Without consultation or detailed planning, the government's request that RTHK take over ATV's channels is both hasty and irresponsible," the union said in a statement.

"The authorities pay no regard to the fact that, given the present dearth of resources, manpower and hardware equipment, it is simply impossible for RTHK to provide a 24-hour channel within a short time."

The union did not suggest what the government should do instead. But it criticised Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung, the minister in charge of broadcasting, for belittling the station as lacking the resources to launch television newscasts and yet failing to pledge more help.

Earlier in the day, former assistant director of broadcasting Cheung Man-sun had voiced a different stance. He called the transition "an opportunity born of a crisis" for RTHK, although he believed it lacked the resources to do 24-hour news at the start.