Media man Stephen Chan proves he's worth his salt despite turbulent times

Show business veteran Stephen Chan Chi-wan likes to let the facts speak for themselves. The dust has long settled - and the tongues stopped wagging - since he took over a prime-time Commercial Radio show nearly 16 months ago amid a row over the station's dubious take on press freedom.

Today, the flamboyant media personality has reinvented himself as an outspoken voice in the city. From last year's Occupy movement to upheavals in the free-to-air-television market, Chan and his co-hosts have proven critical of various decisions by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's administration - albeit in a non-confrontational way.

"We have to be bold enough to say what we think we should say," said the former TVB general manager, now chief adviser to Commercial Radio.

"Time has proven we haven't changed our direction. We are as critical as we have always been. I wouldn't agree we are milder. Different personalities have different styles. I think we have done the job."

In November 2013, Chan, then head of Commercial Radio, made headlines when he took over from outspoken government critic Li Wei-ling as host of morning programme On A Clear Day and moved her to an evening slot. Three months later, Li was sacked. She said at the time her exit was the price the station paid to renew its licence, due to expire next year. She also described her firing as the Leung "administration's suppression of freedom of the press and speech".

The public row raised eyebrows over Chan's role and the future stance of On A Clear Day. Critics joined Li in lambasting the station, fearing the popular current affairs show would become a government mouthpiece.