#RTHK #Headliner #Censorship
Hong Kong Public Broadcaster Suspends Political Satirical Show After Being Attacked by Police and Pro-Beijing Forces
Image from the show
Ng Chi-sum, one of the key members of Headliner as well as news commentator, spoke on public broadcaster RTHK's sudden decision of halting Headliner on May 22, 2020.
Ng believes the "suspension" of the Headliner would probably be a permanent one. He added that even the programme is allowed to return one day, it would only bear the same title but without the essence and spirit.
RTHK's Headliner is a popular news commentary programme which has been running on and off for 30 years in Hong Kong. Accompanied by satirical sketches, parody songs and derivative works, the show is known for its criticism, sharpness and humour toward social issues and problems. Outspoken of governance failure, the show has amassed many keen supporters in the local population.
During the Anti-extradition bill Movement in 2019, the show continues to speak out for the public and bring spotlight to police brutality and governance crisis.
Hong Kong police commissioner Chris Tang, various police-related organizations and Beijing loyalists had through different channels reprimanded the show for "distorting" the fact and the image of the police.
Watch the English-subtitled "Shock Report" in Headliner
Since the handover in 1997, the show had been attacked by Chinese officials, China-owned media and Beijing loyalists including former Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa. Although each time these attacks sparked concerns over the gradual erosion of the freedom of speech, the tension had never amassed to the cancellation of the entire show.
On 19 May 2020, RTHK issued an apology while announcing that the long-running Headliner would be suspended until further notice. Considering the removal of episodes which the police force claimed to be "inappropriate", this somehow indicates the source of pressure and the cause of the programme suspension.
After firing on the education system and exam authorities, the Hong Kong government is also increasing its contol over the media lanscape: As a public broadcaster, RTHK has been repeatedly challenged by the authorities, despite the station's popularity, good ratings and compliments for its impartiality during Hong Kong protests.
In addition to cutting RTHK funding, the government ordered RTHK's to vacate one of its buildings in Kowloon Tong. On top of Headliner, the Education Bureau also stopped RTHK from making Education Television Program, one role RTHK has been playing for decades.
On 19 May, the government ordered a full review of RTHK's programme production and editorial processes and called for any staff found to have committed "negligence or errors" to be disciplined.
Source: Ng Chi-sum's Youtube; RTHK; Stand News #May19
#CulturalRevolution #ShockReport #NgChiSum #TsangChiHo #WongHei
Cultural Revolution 2.0: From Hong Kong Limited Edition to World Edition
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/20883
Hong Kong Public Broadcaster Suspends Political Satirical Show After Being Attacked by Police and Pro-Beijing Forces
Image from the show
Ng Chi-sum, one of the key members of Headliner as well as news commentator, spoke on public broadcaster RTHK's sudden decision of halting Headliner on May 22, 2020.
Ng believes the "suspension" of the Headliner would probably be a permanent one. He added that even the programme is allowed to return one day, it would only bear the same title but without the essence and spirit.
RTHK's Headliner is a popular news commentary programme which has been running on and off for 30 years in Hong Kong. Accompanied by satirical sketches, parody songs and derivative works, the show is known for its criticism, sharpness and humour toward social issues and problems. Outspoken of governance failure, the show has amassed many keen supporters in the local population.
During the Anti-extradition bill Movement in 2019, the show continues to speak out for the public and bring spotlight to police brutality and governance crisis.
Hong Kong police commissioner Chris Tang, various police-related organizations and Beijing loyalists had through different channels reprimanded the show for "distorting" the fact and the image of the police.
Watch the English-subtitled "Shock Report" in Headliner
Since the handover in 1997, the show had been attacked by Chinese officials, China-owned media and Beijing loyalists including former Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa. Although each time these attacks sparked concerns over the gradual erosion of the freedom of speech, the tension had never amassed to the cancellation of the entire show.
On 19 May 2020, RTHK issued an apology while announcing that the long-running Headliner would be suspended until further notice. Considering the removal of episodes which the police force claimed to be "inappropriate", this somehow indicates the source of pressure and the cause of the programme suspension.
After firing on the education system and exam authorities, the Hong Kong government is also increasing its contol over the media lanscape: As a public broadcaster, RTHK has been repeatedly challenged by the authorities, despite the station's popularity, good ratings and compliments for its impartiality during Hong Kong protests.
In addition to cutting RTHK funding, the government ordered RTHK's to vacate one of its buildings in Kowloon Tong. On top of Headliner, the Education Bureau also stopped RTHK from making Education Television Program, one role RTHK has been playing for decades.
On 19 May, the government ordered a full review of RTHK's programme production and editorial processes and called for any staff found to have committed "negligence or errors" to be disciplined.
Source: Ng Chi-sum's Youtube; RTHK; Stand News #May19
#CulturalRevolution #ShockReport #NgChiSum #TsangChiHo #WongHei
Cultural Revolution 2.0: From Hong Kong Limited Edition to World Edition
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/20883
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