Hong Kong TV watchdog wrong to interfere with public broadcaster RTHK’s freedom of expression, lawyer argues at High Court
- RTHK Programme Staff Union and Hong Kong Journalists Association challenging decision to sanction broadcaster over satire show
- Communications Authority said episode of Headliner violated TV Programme Code
RTHK has the right to freedom of expression, according to lawyers challenging the communications watchdog’s decision to warn the public broadcaster about its portrayal of the Hong Kong police in a controversial satire last year.
Honorary senior counsel Johannes Chan Man-mun, for RTHK’s Programme Staff Union and the Hong Kong Journalists Association, on Monday told the High Court that the Communications Authority made an unlawful decision on May 19, 2020 when it misinterpreted and misapplied its TV Programme Code and unjustifiably interfered with the broadcaster’s freedom of expression.
In that decision, the authority ruled an episode of RTHK’s Headliner about the government’s response to Covid-19, aired on February 14 of the same year, violated the code and warned the broadcaster to observe the relevant provisions more closely.
RTHK, which is not a party to the present judicial review, subsequently apologised.
Headliner was one of RTHK’s most popular programmes, known for its satirical nature and humorous tone.The show ran for more than 30 years, until it was suspended shortly after removing the February 14 episode and airing its final one on June 19, last year.