Hong Kong entrepreneur Ricky Wong says ATV and former executive defamed him by claiming he stole information ahead of licence bid
ATV and one of its executives defamed media entrepreneur Ricky Wong Wai-kay by accusing him of stealing confidential information during the 12 days he worked at the station in 2008, the High Court heard yesterday.
ATV and one of its executives defamed media entrepreneur Ricky Wong Wai-kay by accusing him of stealing confidential information during the 12 days he worked at the station in 2008, the High Court heard yesterday.
Wong's lawyer, Queenie Lau, said James Shing Pan-yu, then executive director of ATV, twice told the press Wong used "stolen information to apply for a free-to-air television licence in 2009".
Lau played two video clips in court - the first showing Shing addressing the media outside ATV's headquarters on November 24, 2012, saying: "[Wong] used our photocopier to make copies and caused the photocopier to break down", adding "he transported the documents away in one car after the other".
Wong was appointed chief executive officer of the station in December 2008 but resigned after just 12 days.
At another press conference on November 26, 2012, Shing said Wong applied for the free-to-air TV licence a year after leaving ATV. "Applying for a free television licence required lots of data information to support," he said.
"As far as I know, Wong has never worked for any [free-to-air] television company except the 12 days at ATV. One year later, he could submit a proposal with detailed information to apply for the licence. It's highly suspicious."
Lau said Shing's words would make people believe Wong had stolen the station's information and used it for the application.
Wong and his company, Hong Kong Television Network, said Shing had defamed Wong, suggesting he was dishonest or had even committed a crime.
Lau said the government had asked Wong for an explanation of Shing's comments and that Wong had failed in his licence application. The lawyer suggested the government must have considered this incident before reaching its decision.
ATV did not have a representative in court and Shing appeared without a lawyer.
Outside court, Shing said he had wanted to resolve the case but Wong wanted to settle with him and ATV together. Wong testifies before Mr Justice Andrew Chung On-tak tomorrow.
