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Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK)

13 March, 1998  

Mr Tung Chee-hwa  
Chief Executive  
Chief Executive's Office  
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region  
Central Government Offices  
Lower Albert Road  
Hong Kong  

Dear Mr Tung,  

RTHK  

We have noted your public support for the editorial independence of the RTHK. Noting that certain persons have been critical of RTHK's independent stance, we would like to offer some of our views to you on this issue.  

We would like to point out there are two issues involved: that various Departments of the Hong Kong SAR Government might be facing some public relations (PR) problems, but this is a separate issue from whether Hong Kong should have a public broadcasting service.  

Role of RTHK: Public Broadcasting  

It is ironic that while we're beginning to find "60 Minutes Plus" style of investigative reporting at local television stations inside mainland China, this debate on whether the RTHK should become a propaganda mouthpiece for the Hong Kong SAR Government should happen in Hong Kong. While China is moving forward, Hong Kong is moving backward.  

We feel that the RTHK should be fearless in reporting major issues affecting Hong Kong. It should set standards for high quality journalism and balanced reporting. It should focus on delivering services that cannot be delivered by commercial broadcasting, for example: producing high quality investigative type of documentary, providing forums for Government officials to meet the public and for the public to discuss social, political and economic issues that will affect Hong Kong over the next ten to fifteen years.  

This way, it would be able to truly play the role of a public service television station.  

Role of the GIS: Public Relations  

The Hong Kong SAR Government should strengthen the GIS, the Government public relations machinery which was very much neglected under the Pattern regime. If a suitable GIS Director and supporting staff could not be promoted from within the Government, then they should be recruited from the private sector. This PR machinery should be put at the disposal of Policy Secretaries and should work closely with the Government's political advisor.  

The GIS should also stop asking the RTHK to produce promotion films for Government Departments and NGOs. Television commercial production is a function that should be privatised. This would help to minimise the role confusion. Government subcontracting television commercials production to the private sector advertising agencies is also the normal practice in many countries around the world.  

The Chief Executive's role in up-holding the "Open Government" concept  

As the organiser of the recent "Government in Evolution" seminar (the papers of which we enclose for your reference), we were disappointed with the Government's position on "Open Government" as given by Mr Parrish Ng, Principal Assistant Secretary of the Home Affairs Bureau. We feel that positioning consultation through advisory committee as the pillar?of "Open and Accountable Government" is a step backward, not a step forward. We believe the Government should review this position.  

We have come to the conclusion the continuing evolution of the "Open Government" concept requires your personal support. We feel that the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government should take the lead in promoting the "Open Government" concept and should continue to uphold the "Public Service Broadcasting" idea as a valuable Hong Kong institution.  

Various branches of The Hong Kong SAR Government should continue, through media channels which include the RTHK, to tell the public what they intend to do and allow the public to participate in the policy formulation process.  

Conclusion  

Even if a decision were taken to convert RTHK into a Government mouthpiece, it would not solve PR problem faced by various Government Departments; in fact it would make it worse.  

We feel that a PR problem requires a PR solution along the line we suggest above: a more effective GIS and doubling the effort to maintain an open and accountable Government.  

I hope the above suggestions have been useful to you in the public discussion of RTHK's role.  

Sincerely yours,  

Alan LUNG, Ka-lun  
Chairman