Hong Kong police lodge complaint with Communications Authority over RTHK’s satirical show
- Police chief Chris Tang publishes letter addressed to Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing on the force’s website airing grievance against programme
- Communications Authority also receives complaint from police and says it will handle the matter following established procedures
Hong Kong police have escalated their war against public broadcaster RTHK and complained to the Communications Authority against a programme they said “undermined police work” and would result in an “erosion of law and order”.
But an expert on the city’s policing expressed concern whether such tactics would help restore public trust, as he felt the force had deviated from the majority of the city residents in defining public relations.
Tang also complained about an episode of the show on February 28 about some recent deaths in the city that the force ruled were not suspicious. Tang added while satire was just a means of expression, the content of such shows must be based on facts. He felt the show might make people believe the force did not investigate deaths thoroughly and that officers were not professional in their work.
An RTHK spokeswoman earlier defended the show, being aired since 1989, saying it reflected different views in society and that it was “quite unlikely for any reasonable person” to conclude that the comedy sketches were serious news. The Post has contacted the broadcaster for its response to the complaint.