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.
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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.
“Many people in society are disgusted with the actions of the rioters, and there are many voices in support of police to stop the violence,” the letter continued, adding the force respected the freedom of speech and press.
“The show would create a wrong impression among viewers and mislead them on the force. If the public loses confidence in police, criminals will get a chance to take advantage of it, and Hong Kong’s law and order will be difficult to maintain. This is definitely of major public interest.
“The force will therefore complain to the Communications Authority.”
The Communications Authority confirmed it had received the complaint from police.
It added it had received around 2,700 and 10 complaints on the two episodes of Headliner broadcast on February 14 and 28 respectively.
“We will handle the complaints according to established procedures,” a spokesman for the office said.
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Lawrence Ho Ka-ki, an assistant professor of social sciences at Education University who specialises in policing and public order, said the force seemed to combat “fake news” in full swing, taking it as a significant public relations tactic.
“Police are concerned about their public image. But is firing at what they regard as fake news the best means to restore people’s trust and confidence in them? This is neither the best solution nor the regular public relations practice,” he said.
“In the past, members of the force made the opponents understand policing better to narrow down social distance.”
An RTHK spokeswoman said the broadcaster had received a letter from the force and would handle the matter in accordance with the established mechanism.
