Hong Kong protests: RTHK head rejects allegations that coverage favours demonstrators, accused of ‘living in utopia’

Leung Ka-wing says public broadcaster tries to ensure balance, but estimates more pro-government guests invited on air

Pro-establishment politicians challenge him at legislature, saying RTHK fails to highlight plight of police and wider public

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Leung Ka-wing, the head of RTHK, insists the media outlet has been fair in its coverage of the protests. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 6:46pm, 29 Oct 2019Updated: 10:45pm, 29 Oct 2019

The head of public broadcaster RTHK has rejected allegations its coverage favoured Hong Kong protesters, saying it had invited more pro-establishment guests on air than those from the other side of the political spectrum.

Leung Ka-wing, the director of broadcasting, defended the media outlet against allegations of bias at the city’s legislature on Tuesday, when pro-government politicians accused the organisation of sympathising with demonstrators.

Speaking at the Legislative Council’s information technology and broadcasting panel, Leung said show hosts tried to be balanced, through practices such as quoting rival views when questioning interviewees.

RTHK has been accused of sympathising with protesters at the expense of other members of the public and police. Photo: Felix Wong

Leung added: “We can’t filter the speech of different speakers, particularly for forums and phone-in programmes. But audiences experience different feelings when they listen from different perspectives.

“They say ‘good’ for things that they love to listen to. For those they don’t like to listen to, they will ask why have they been allowed to say such things?”