RTHK Broadcasting Director Roy Tang Yun-kwong controversy

On September 9, 2011 the Hong Kong government appointed Mr. Roy Tang Yun-kwong (Chinese: 鄧忍光) as the Director of Broadcasting, the head of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK).^[1] It took effect on September 15, 2011.^[2] However, Tang, previously an Administrative Officer,^[3] did not have experience in the field of broadcasting at the time he was appointed.^[4] Therefore, people, especially staff from RTHK, called Tang’s suitability for the role into question and saw Tang as the embodiment of government intervention into freedom of the press, fearing he would interfere with their editorial independence.^[5]

Development

After Tang took up his broadcasting post, he was criticized for politically interfering with the affairs of the RTHK.^[6] Criticisms of Tang continued from his initial appointment until present. A survey conducted by the Democratic Party in 2013 revealed that over 40% of respondents wished for Tang to step down from his position.^[7]

Controversies

Tang's role

Besides his inexperience in broadcasting before his appointment,^[8] Tang was accused of having a dual role as he is both the chief editor of broadcaster in RTHK and an administrative officer in the government.^[9] This led to criticisms that Tang may have a pro-government stance while performing his job in RTHK.

RTHK TV programme Legco Review (Chinese: 議事論事)

In 2012 Tang suggested terminating the 26-year-old programme Legco Review in an internal meeting.^[10] This led to criticisms that Tang was attempting to eliminate the voice in RTHK of criticizing controversial issues in the world.

RTHK TV programme Headliner (Chinese: 頭條新聞)

In 2013 Tang criticized the idea of using Adolf Hitler and the Nazis as characters in the programme Headliner.^[11] At last, the producers scrapped the idea and use characters from the story Journey to the West. This led to criticisms that Tang was interfering with RTHK's editorial independence by using his authority.^[12]

Tang's "political mission"

In 2013 Tang did not approve the promotion of Mr. Sze Wing-yuen, RTHK's assistant director of TV and corporate business. Some claimed that it was because Sze had defied orders of Tang,^[13] hindering Tang's completion of his "political mission".^[14]

Internal responses

Responses from RTHK staff

The staff believes that RTHK should enjoy editorial independence and is granted the role of monitoring the government. The staff voiced their disagreement with his decisions and opinions on programme productions if they found Tang intervening in editorial affairs and programme production of RTHK. For example, the staff of RTHK welcomed Tang with black carpet, black T-shirts and opposing slogans on Tang's first day of work, showing their discontent with his appointment.^[15] The staff emphasized that they are against political suppression and will protect the editorial independence of RTHK.

Responses from Tang

During the Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting held on 11 March, some legislative councilors accused that Tang was interfering with RTHK’s editorial independence, while Tang disputed the accusation and claimed that it was an entirely groundless censure.^[16]

Later in RTHK staffs’ conference held on 15 March, Tang recapitulated that he had neither put political pressure on the staffs nor interfered with RTHK’s editorial independence, and he would not resign owing to this incident. Tang thereafter as well mentioned that if his speech in the earlier panel has offended the staffs, he would like to make an apology to them.^[17]

External responses

Parties supporting Tang

Some parties believe that RTHK's programmes were mostly used to mock the government officials and government policies in a one-sided manner. They think that Tang, who was from the government, can balance the internal views in RTHK towards the government. Thus, they staged a rally ^[18] and started campaigns to support Tang.

Parties against Tang

Some parties are dissatisfied with Tang's actions, which they view as political interference. They aired their grievances through the mass media. For example, they created groups and pages in social media like Facebook to draw attention to the issue.^[19] Some even made fun of Tang by nicknaming him "the last samurai of RTHK"^[20] or spoofing his photos.^[21]

References