#Respect #RTHK #PoliceState
Public Channel RTHK criticized by the Police, but received more than 34,000 compliments from the population
//Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing on Thursday addressed an ongoing row between RTHK and the police force, saying various government departments should respect each other and understand that they have different roles to play.
Leung's letter to all members of staff at the public broadcaster follows complaints made by Police Commissioner Chris Tang that RTHK is "misleading the public" with some of its output, with the police chief going as far as to warn that the station risks undermining law and order.
At the heart of the controversy is the broadcaster's satirical TV show Headliner and in particular two episodes aired last month that mocked the police force.
...Leung notes in his letter that as well as the 6,500 complaints RTHK received about Headliner between February 1 and March 8, it also received more than 34,000 compliments about the programme, which is one of the station's most popular TV shows and has aired since 1989.
Thanking staff for their "unswerving dedication" when confronted with the "unprecedented challenges" thrown up by Hong Kong's social turmoil, he said RTHK's programmes in various genres comply "on the whole" with the public purposes and missions stipulated in its charter.
"RTHK has come to be a prominent platform for the public to attain and express opinions, fully exemplifying Hong Kong's diversity, inclusiveness and acceptance," Leung wrote.//
Source: RTHK #Mar12
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1514011-20200312.htm
Public Channel RTHK criticized by the Police, but received more than 34,000 compliments from the population
//Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing on Thursday addressed an ongoing row between RTHK and the police force, saying various government departments should respect each other and understand that they have different roles to play.
Leung's letter to all members of staff at the public broadcaster follows complaints made by Police Commissioner Chris Tang that RTHK is "misleading the public" with some of its output, with the police chief going as far as to warn that the station risks undermining law and order.
At the heart of the controversy is the broadcaster's satirical TV show Headliner and in particular two episodes aired last month that mocked the police force.
...Leung notes in his letter that as well as the 6,500 complaints RTHK received about Headliner between February 1 and March 8, it also received more than 34,000 compliments about the programme, which is one of the station's most popular TV shows and has aired since 1989.
Thanking staff for their "unswerving dedication" when confronted with the "unprecedented challenges" thrown up by Hong Kong's social turmoil, he said RTHK's programmes in various genres comply "on the whole" with the public purposes and missions stipulated in its charter.
"RTHK has come to be a prominent platform for the public to attain and express opinions, fully exemplifying Hong Kong's diversity, inclusiveness and acceptance," Leung wrote.//
Source: RTHK #Mar12
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1514011-20200312.htm
news.rthk.hk
RTHK chief calls for respect among govt departments
Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing on Thursday addressed an ongoing row between RTHK and the police force, saying various government departments should respect each other and understand that they have different roles to play. Leung's letter to all members…
#CoronavirusPandemic #WuhanPneumonia #Iran #China
Satellite images of mass graves suggest Iran’s coronavirus epidemic is even more serious than the authorities are admitting
//According to the latest health ministry figures, more than 10,000 Iranians have fallen ill from the virus and 429 have died.
Dr Afkhami, an associate professor at George Washington University, said the mass graves add weight to suspicions the real mortality figures are much higher and are still being covered by the leadership.
He added that the close trading partnership between Iran and China, and the government’s fear of disrupting that partnership had contributed to the early and rapid spread of the disease.
“Because of China’s status as the country’s principal commercial partner, the Iranian government took inadequate cautionary measures to restrict and monitor travelers from China."//
Source: The Guardian #Mar12
#MadeInChina
Satellite images of mass graves suggest Iran’s coronavirus epidemic is even more serious than the authorities are admitting
//According to the latest health ministry figures, more than 10,000 Iranians have fallen ill from the virus and 429 have died.
Dr Afkhami, an associate professor at George Washington University, said the mass graves add weight to suspicions the real mortality figures are much higher and are still being covered by the leadership.
He added that the close trading partnership between Iran and China, and the government’s fear of disrupting that partnership had contributed to the early and rapid spread of the disease.
“Because of China’s status as the country’s principal commercial partner, the Iranian government took inadequate cautionary measures to restrict and monitor travelers from China."//
Source: The Guardian #Mar12
#MadeInChina
#ReclaimHongKong #SelfHelp
Proposal Passed in District Council to Stop Inviting PRC Officials From Hong Kong Liaison Office to Funding Activities
The Central and Western District Council in Hong Kong have passed a proposal to stop inviting PRC officials from Hong Kong Liaison Office to funding activities. The proposal was raised by Kam Nai-wai, a founding member of the Democratic Party and also a District Councilor. The discussion took place during the second finance committee meeting on March 12, 2020.
Pro-democracy district councilors questioned that the participation of PRC representatives in local activities could be an act to infiltrate the community. They mentioned that organization should not used regional funding activities to show their political loyalty.
District Officer representing the Hong Kong SAR Government Susanne Wong has repeatedly refuted the district member’s opinions on this issue, arguing that they should not be restricting guest invitation. The officer claimed another discussion with the Home Affairs Department is necessary and said that “guest invitation should not be in the scope of discussion within the district council meeting”.
She further stated that “(she) cannot see how the Hong Kong Liaison Office is intervening with the autonomy of Hong Kong”.
Source: In-Media #Mar12 #DistrictCouncil #Infiltration #Autonomy #PoliticalLoyalty
Proposal Passed in District Council to Stop Inviting PRC Officials From Hong Kong Liaison Office to Funding Activities
The Central and Western District Council in Hong Kong have passed a proposal to stop inviting PRC officials from Hong Kong Liaison Office to funding activities. The proposal was raised by Kam Nai-wai, a founding member of the Democratic Party and also a District Councilor. The discussion took place during the second finance committee meeting on March 12, 2020.
Pro-democracy district councilors questioned that the participation of PRC representatives in local activities could be an act to infiltrate the community. They mentioned that organization should not used regional funding activities to show their political loyalty.
District Officer representing the Hong Kong SAR Government Susanne Wong has repeatedly refuted the district member’s opinions on this issue, arguing that they should not be restricting guest invitation. The officer claimed another discussion with the Home Affairs Department is necessary and said that “guest invitation should not be in the scope of discussion within the district council meeting”.
She further stated that “(she) cannot see how the Hong Kong Liaison Office is intervening with the autonomy of Hong Kong”.
Source: In-Media #Mar12 #DistrictCouncil #Infiltration #Autonomy #PoliticalLoyalty
Five stages of epidemic control show how a society like Taiwan survives this viral outbreak
By Tim Culpan
//Taiwan’s strength is its open society. Political institutions have matured a lot in the past 17 years and where democracy means that citizens have a real connection to their representatives. Experts are respected.
On Jan 20 this year, Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control activated its Central Epidemic Command Center to coordinate efforts against the new virus. That was three days before China put Wuhan on lockdown and the first meeting of the WHO’s emergency committee. Significantly, it came before Taiwan had even recorded its first case.
The government skipped quickly through the internal and external denial phases. While many Taiwanese were yet to be convinced about the dangers, most trusted that the actions taken, such as temperature checks at buildings and use of masks so people knew where to shop. The result was caution, rather than panic.//
Source: Bloomberg #Mar12
https://trib.al/JvwVSWX
By Tim Culpan
//Taiwan’s strength is its open society. Political institutions have matured a lot in the past 17 years and where democracy means that citizens have a real connection to their representatives. Experts are respected.
On Jan 20 this year, Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control activated its Central Epidemic Command Center to coordinate efforts against the new virus. That was three days before China put Wuhan on lockdown and the first meeting of the WHO’s emergency committee. Significantly, it came before Taiwan had even recorded its first case.
The government skipped quickly through the internal and external denial phases. While many Taiwanese were yet to be convinced about the dangers, most trusted that the actions taken, such as temperature checks at buildings and use of masks so people knew where to shop. The result was caution, rather than panic.//
Source: Bloomberg #Mar12
https://trib.al/JvwVSWX
#WuhanPneumonia
China's Propaganda: Fighting Deadly Viruses with Marxism and Maoism
“Marxism is a force that supports the absolute victory in battling against the COVID-19 and it is an important embodiment that shows the superiority of the socialism with Chinese characteristics,” wrote in article entitled “Marxist Belief: An Internal Force to Defeat the Novel Coronavirus Epidemic" published by an 'academic' journal in China.
Even though the epidemic is far from being over, the CCP’s Publicity Department already published “A Battle Against Epidemic: China Combating COVID-19 in 2020,” a book praising Xi Jinping.
During the Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong Thought, or Maoism, was promoted as “a spiritual atom bomb of infinite power,” which could practically resolve any difficulty. All of a sudden, “extraordinary” results were achieved if guided by Maoism at work, slaughtering pigs, or treating diseases.
Source: Bitter Winter #Mar12
#CensorshipKills #ChinesePropaganda
China's Propaganda: Fighting Deadly Viruses with Marxism and Maoism
“Marxism is a force that supports the absolute victory in battling against the COVID-19 and it is an important embodiment that shows the superiority of the socialism with Chinese characteristics,” wrote in article entitled “Marxist Belief: An Internal Force to Defeat the Novel Coronavirus Epidemic" published by an 'academic' journal in China.
Even though the epidemic is far from being over, the CCP’s Publicity Department already published “A Battle Against Epidemic: China Combating COVID-19 in 2020,” a book praising Xi Jinping.
During the Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong Thought, or Maoism, was promoted as “a spiritual atom bomb of infinite power,” which could practically resolve any difficulty. All of a sudden, “extraordinary” results were achieved if guided by Maoism at work, slaughtering pigs, or treating diseases.
Source: Bitter Winter #Mar12
#CensorshipKills #ChinesePropaganda
#StateTerrorism
Hong Kong Government to Turn Down Proposal Passed in Directly Elected District Council
On March 11, the Community Emergency Response Team of Tun Mun District Council passed the proposal of applying for a government funding of 3 million dollars to purchases protective gear, including gas masks and filters.
Tuen Mun District Officer Fung Ngar-wai opposed to the purchase, and said that even though the proposal had been passed in the district council, the Home Affairs Department possesses the rights for final decisions. Fung explained that, if the funding amount exceeded 1.2 million dollars, it would to require an approval from the Home Affairs Department. She also said in a threatening tone, ” If the purchase items were not cost-effective, we will not approve.”
Source: InMedia #Mar12
#DistrictCouncil #FaceMasks
Hong Kong Government to Turn Down Proposal Passed in Directly Elected District Council
On March 11, the Community Emergency Response Team of Tun Mun District Council passed the proposal of applying for a government funding of 3 million dollars to purchases protective gear, including gas masks and filters.
Tuen Mun District Officer Fung Ngar-wai opposed to the purchase, and said that even though the proposal had been passed in the district council, the Home Affairs Department possesses the rights for final decisions. Fung explained that, if the funding amount exceeded 1.2 million dollars, it would to require an approval from the Home Affairs Department. She also said in a threatening tone, ” If the purchase items were not cost-effective, we will not approve.”
Source: InMedia #Mar12
#DistrictCouncil #FaceMasks
#WuhanPneumonia #MaleFertility
Chinese government deletes report stating Covid-19 could damage male fertility
//It is theoretically possible that Covid-19 could be damaging to men’s reproductive health, according to an article published on the Hubei government’s website on Thursday, only to be removed a few hours later.
Men who had contracted the disease and recovered from it should seek medical advice on whether it might have had a detrimental impact on their fertility, said the piece, which was produced by a team from the reproductive medicine centre at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei.
The Hubei government declined to say why the article – which was widely shared on Chinese social media before being removed – had been deleted.//
Source: SCMP #Mar12
Chinese government deletes report stating Covid-19 could damage male fertility
//It is theoretically possible that Covid-19 could be damaging to men’s reproductive health, according to an article published on the Hubei government’s website on Thursday, only to be removed a few hours later.
Men who had contracted the disease and recovered from it should seek medical advice on whether it might have had a detrimental impact on their fertility, said the piece, which was produced by a team from the reproductive medicine centre at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei.
The Hubei government declined to say why the article – which was widely shared on Chinese social media before being removed – had been deleted.//
Source: SCMP #Mar12
Hongkongers Converge on Washington to Call For Sanctions Against Police, Leaders
//Pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong are lobbying the U.S. government to impose sanctions on senior officials in the city over police violence and human rights violations during last year's protests.
Representative Jim McGovern, chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), said the situation in Hong Kong hasn't improved since the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act was passed by Congress last November.
Former Occupy Central student leader Joshua Wong said he isn't hopeful of immediate sanctions against Hong Kong officials amid the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and U.S. presidential primaries, but that evidence can be compiled to make a case for sanctions in the meantime.
"Even if there are no immediate sanctions ... we think we can lobby the U.S. to launch an inquiry into police violence in the next year or so," Wong said.//
Source: RFA #Mar12
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/converge-03112020114509.html/ampRFA?__twitter_impression=true
//Pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong are lobbying the U.S. government to impose sanctions on senior officials in the city over police violence and human rights violations during last year's protests.
Representative Jim McGovern, chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), said the situation in Hong Kong hasn't improved since the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act was passed by Congress last November.
Former Occupy Central student leader Joshua Wong said he isn't hopeful of immediate sanctions against Hong Kong officials amid the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and U.S. presidential primaries, but that evidence can be compiled to make a case for sanctions in the meantime.
"Even if there are no immediate sanctions ... we think we can lobby the U.S. to launch an inquiry into police violence in the next year or so," Wong said.//
Source: RFA #Mar12
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/converge-03112020114509.html/ampRFA?__twitter_impression=true
Radio Free Asia
Hongkongers Converge on Washington to Call For Sanctions Against Police, Leaders
Activists want Washington to use a new law to freeze assets and deny visas to those responsible for human rights abuses in the city.
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#FirstHand #Mar12
Police chase citizens out of Times Square taxi stand, inciting them to "Come over!"
2200 | Causeway Bay
Police chase citizens out of Times Square taxi stand, inciting them to "Come over!"
2200 | Causeway Bay
#Court #PoliceState
Court Rules Man Guilty of Police Assault for Whistling to 3 Officers and Sentences Man to 6 Week Sentence
A 50-year-old construction worker, surnamed Kee, whistled to 3 police officers during the annual July 1 protest in 2019. In the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on 13 March 2020, he was sentenced to 6 weeks in prison after he was convicted of police assault.
The magistrate commented that no police was subject to permanent injury and the defendant only whistled with his fingers but not with tools and loudspeakers.
Source: Now News #Mar12
#Whistle
Former Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Convicted of Police Assault with a Loudspeaker
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19406
Court Rules Man Guilty of Police Assault for Whistling to 3 Officers and Sentences Man to 6 Week Sentence
A 50-year-old construction worker, surnamed Kee, whistled to 3 police officers during the annual July 1 protest in 2019. In the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on 13 March 2020, he was sentenced to 6 weeks in prison after he was convicted of police assault.
The magistrate commented that no police was subject to permanent injury and the defendant only whistled with his fingers but not with tools and loudspeakers.
Source: Now News #Mar12
#Whistle
Former Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Convicted of Police Assault with a Loudspeaker
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19406