Talking Points: ATV Gets Mainland Money; EOC Opens for Chairperson Applications

ATV Sells 40 Percent of Shares to Mainland Investor
ATV executive director Ip Ka-po has announced that China Culture Media International has bought 41.66 percent of ATV’s shares and that the mainland company is planning to inject $5.1 billion into the company over six years. Ip insisted that the mainland funding would not compromise ATV’s editorial independence, and the investors would use a management fund to run the company. However, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung has raised concerns over the sale, as the deal was completed prior to authority approval; the Communications Authority had not finished processing ATV’s application for its shareholder changes.

Our take: At this point, anything’s better than reruns of ancient, badly dubbed “Visit China!” specials.

Did the EOC Fire Its Chairman?
The Equal Opportunities Commission announced on September 10 that the post of Chairperson was open to applications, effectively firing incumbent chairman Dr. York Chow Yat-ngok from the job. Chow says he had no plans to leave his post. Pro-gay rights group Pink Alliance criticized the move, saying that under Chow, the EOC has taken on “many important issues in society” regarding gender, ethnic and sexual minority, and disability rights. Some conservative and religious groups have criticized Chow for participating in activities such as the Hong Kong Pride Parade, fearing that he would not be impartial and would promote same-sex marriage. Chow’s term as chairman officially expires in March 2016.

Our take: Nothing beats finding out you’ve been fired when you read about it in the paper…