I refer to your news report today (31 August) about the Save RTHK Campaign’s submission of their views to RTHK yesterday (30 August).  In the press report, it was claimed by the Campaign that I failed to see them despite repeated requests and it was implied by them that I took leave yesterday to avoid seeing them.

I would like to put the record straight.  I had availed myself to meeting the group at a mutually convenient time.  However, to find such a time slot has not been easy.  On two occasions, the meetings agreed were cancelled at the request of the Campaign; I fell sick on another occasion.

I had arranged on 25 August to take a one-day leave on 30 August to attend to some personal matters.  The Campaign notified the press on 26 August that they would make a submission to me on 30 August.  Despite immediate clarification that I would not be available, the Campaign proceeded with its meeting.     

The Campaign questioned why I should sign the Charter.  I have already explained this in public and I will repeat here.  The Charter has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to uphold RTHK’s editorial independence; a provision has been added to expressly state that the Board of Advisors have to uphold RTHK’s editorial principles; the Board would only be advisory in nature and the Director of Broadcasting will as always have the final decision on editorial decisions.  These provisions have largely addressed the concerns of RTHK staff, as collected and consolidated by the internal Task Force which comprises a wide sector of our staff members.  As Director of Broadcasting, I have spoken in the public on many occasions that there is no question of RTHK retracting from our tradition or our public duty of providing accurate news and information and a platform for all members of the community to voice their opinions, including criticisms on public policies.

The Campaign alleged that I am trying to silence “Headliner”, a long-running current affairs magazine programme with segments of satires, comics and songs, etc.  The fact is, RTHK management do review our programmes regularly to gauge public feedback on existing programmes and plan for new programmes.  This is nothing different from any media organizations.  We recently did a review for all our TV programmes in preparation of the impending “programme swap” of our TV programmes between ATV and TVB that will take place in late September.  These meetings were attended by the management, including me as Editor-in-Chief and the relevant Division Heads, and Heads of production teams.  It will be odd, not least to media professionals, for a media organization to comment in public on the performance of its programmes and presenters.  But I can assure the public that at these meetings we candidly exchanged views with only one goal in mind: always striving for excellence, including for “Headliners”.

 As a public service broadcaster, RTHK exists to serve the community.  As Director of Broadcasting, I am duty bound to ensure that RTHK delivers it public missions.  I welcome and cherish feedback from all sectors on the work of RTHK. 

 Franklin Wong

Director of Broadcasting