RTHK Programme Staff Union Statement: Why did the government withdraw RTHK’s new headquarters’ funding request? The Union is surprised by the government’s sudden withdrawal of the funding proposal for RTHK’s new Broadcasting House. Last Friday (24/1) when the Union met with RTHK’s management they were still insisting it’s impossible to lower the construction cost and stressed they would re-submit the funding proposal to the Legislative Councils’ Public Works Subcommittee. They also said even if the funding proposal would be voted down, it was important to leave a record in Legco, adding that withdrawing the proposal would give an impression to the public that the station was in the wrong. The same afternoon, RTHK also issued a “Q&As to the new Broadcasting House”. It hit back strongly to views to review RTHK’s position every time when there’s a new term of government and Legco as it would give an impression that public service broadcasting is being clouted. On the following Tuesday (28/1), the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Greg So also questioned lawmakers for being illogical. But the government made a sudden u-turn in less than 24 hours and withdrew the funding request before the Chinese New Year Holiday. No explanations or details were given to us, leaving us to wonder what the real reasons are behind the sudden withdrawal. We therefore urge the administration and RTHK’s management to give a full account of the matter. RTHK’s mission, to provide public service broadcasting, was established in 2009 after public consultation. The union believes the decision to shelve the funding request would have the effect of “freezing” the public service broadcasting in the next five to six years. Moreover, RTHK would not be able to produce news and new programmes because of a lack of hardware, and it also violates the Charter - that outlines the digital tv, digital audio broadcasting and community involvement broadcasting services promised. Some lawmakers had questioned if RTHK was over-expanding, are they trying to scale down the stations services in order to undermine its influence? And is the government trying to reverse the public service broadcasting policy? The Union hopes the public would understand that getting sufficient equipments is only to better serve the public and provide more and better programmes. With the government’s sudden withdrawal of the paper without providing a transition proposal, new digital channels given to RTHK would also be wasted since the number of broadcast hours, new programmes as well as genres would be severely be limited, meaning that public resources are wasted in vain. The union reiterates that the essence of public service broadcasting is being fearless of political and commercial pressures. Hong Kong’s press freedom is now under threat, RTHK as a public service broadcaster we have the duty to monitor government’s operations as well as those who have powers, and to produce a diversified programmes for the public. RTHK has had its ups and downs. Despite rumors that the government would like to “dry up” or “rein in RTHK”, we have always stood firm and will continue to uphold the station’s editorial independence and maintain fair and impartial in our reporting and programmes. We pledge that, despite our lack of new resources and modern equipments and regardless of our location: Broadcast Drive or Tseng Kwan O; our belief will not be shaken. RTHK staff will do the best that we can, with the resources that we are given to best serve the public of Hong Kong. RTHK Programme Staff Union 30/1/2014
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 07:32:00 +0000