Editorial | Ruling on satirical Hong Kong TV show underlines city’s judicial independence
Such material, if consistent with the law and the broadcasting rules, still has a place in the city
The long-running satirical television show Headliner was popular but often controversial. It was suspended by RTHK in 2020 and has not returned after an episode made fun of the police.
The Communications Authority received more than 3,000 complaints and ruled it breached the code of practice for television programmes.
Last week, the Court of Appeal quashed findings made by the authority in a ruling that recognised the role of satire in reflecting public concerns while demonstrating the independence of the judiciary. The episode implied police were stockpiling protective equipment during the pandemic.
It also depicted an officer emerging from a waste bin wrapped in rubbish bags.
Parts of the show lacked a sufficient factual basis, the authority ruled, also finding it failed to present a broad range of views and insulted or denigrated the police. RTHK apologised, but its staff union and the Hong Kong Journalists Association challenged that decision.
The appeal court ruling gave them a partial but significant victory. The court dismissed their bid to bring a constitutional challenge on the basis the authority’s censure amounted to a breach of RTHK’s freedom of expression.
