Team investigating Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK’s governance to be led by former key Carrie Lam aide

The body, which will begin its work on July 15, will examine everything from the broadcaster’s finances to whether it is abiding by its governing charter

RTHK’s staff union immediately questioned Jessie Ting’s qualifications for the role, citing the possibility of a ‘hidden political agenda’

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Embattled public broadcaster RTHK on Monday found out who would be leading a long-promised investigation into their governance: former Carrie Lam aide Jessie Ting. Photo: SCMP

Published: 9:02pm, 6 Jul 2020Updated: 1:42pm, 7 Jul 2020

A former aide of Hong Kong’s leader has been tapped to lead a special team that will probe the governance of public broadcaster RTHK, following a series of controversies that forced the station to suspend a satirical show deemed offensive to the city’s police force.

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, which oversees the broadcaster, announced on Monday that Jessie Ting Yip Yin-mei had been appointed director of the dedicated team, which will begin its work on July 15.

Ting previously served as permanent secretary of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s office, but left the post in September to become a director at the Development Bureau’s works branch.

Jessie Ting, a former postmaster general, has been tapped to lead the team investigating RTHK, prompting pushback from station staff who say her lack of media background makes her unqualified for the task. Photo: Handout

Ting’s team will include RTHK assistant director of broadcasting Albert Cheung Kin-wah, along with a group of civil servants and “post-retirement” contract staff with knowledge of broadcasting services, resources management or organisation management consulting.

Ting’s impartiality was immediately called into question by the RTHK Programme Staff Union.