RTHK poll coverage threatened by cuts

FULL and independent coverage of the 1994 district board elections will be threatened if RTHK is not given the resources it needs, Central and Western District Board member, Mr Lam Kin-lai said yesterday.

His comments followed a meeting between acting deputy director of broadcasting, Mr Peter Harrison, RTHK's director of broadcasting, Mr Chu Pui-hing, and three district board representatives.

But the district board delegation left the meeting disappointed, with Mr Lam claiming Mr Harrison did not want to address the problems facing RTHK.

''The branch is quite negative about RTHK - they don't want to face the problem and the [Recreation and Culture] branch does not support RTHK,'' Mr Lam said.

Hopes for a decision on corporatisation were dealt a blow by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr James So Yiu-cho, in January when he announced RTHK corporatisation would be a low priority for the branch in 1993.

The drive for more funds for RTHK and a speedy decision on corporatisation is part of a campaign by Mr Lam to forge closer links between RTHK and grassroots level politics.

Mr Lam believes RTHK has a vital and unique role to play in keeping the public informed as 1994 district board elections approach and new political alliances are formed.

''I see a greater area of co-operation between district board activities and organisations and RTHK. Hongkong citizens want to know more about the political developments,'' he said.

RTHK has suffered a revenue loss of 16 per cent in real terms over the past three years, as well as cutbacks to broadcasting hours and production output.

The district board delegation also pushed the Government for an early decision on corporatisation.

But Shamshuipo District Board member Mr Mervyn Cheung Man-ping, was told the matter was ''still on the shelf'' by Mr Harrison.