(HKJA/IFEX) – The following is a 19 October 1999 HKJA statement: The Hong Kong Journalists Association is extremely concerned by the Hong Kong government’s sudden announcement that the Director of Broadcasting, Cheung Man-yee, will be transferred to Tokyo to head the Trade Office there. Miss Cheung’s transfer is a highly sensitive matter given Radio Television […]
(HKJA/IFEX) – The following is a 19 October 1999 HKJA statement:
The Hong Kong Journalists Association is extremely concerned by the Hong
Kong government’s sudden announcement that the Director of Broadcasting,
Cheung Man-yee, will be transferred to Tokyo to head the Trade Office there.
Miss Cheung’s transfer is a highly sensitive matter given Radio Television
Hong Kong’s special status as a public broadcaster. The HKJA calls on the
administration to give a detailed explanation for the move. In particular we
urge the government to clarify whether the action is related to recent
controversies surrounding RTHK. This includes the remarks made by the head
of the Chung Hwa Travel Service, Cheng An-kuo, on a RTHK programme.
This association asks that the S.A.R. government maintain RTHK’s editorial
independence and upholds the framework agreement established with RTHK. We
believe RTHK’s role as a public broadcaster must be guaranteed and should
not be changed.
As the Director of Broadcasting will affect negotiations once the framework
agreement expires, the HKJA hopes a permanent successor to Miss Cheung will
be announced as soon as possible to allay public concerns. In the long-term,
we believe it is necessary to guarantee RTHK’s independence through
legislation.
