PSB 101

Is it just me or is this a load of crap?

According to our Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, the long-delayed review of local public service broadcasting will be "taken in a macro perspective, and will not pinpoint RTHK or any of its programs". But the Hong Kong Journalists Association is not convinced and is worried that RTHK will become the prime target of the review.

Help me out here. Am I missing some important insight? How practical can we expect this review to be if it's not even going to pinpoint RTHK—the only publicly funded broadcaster in Hong Kong? How can RTHK be considered just another member of the broadcast industry in the review when it's in fact a government department?

PSB as well as its regulations should be driven by public interest. Doesn't a broadcaster who thinks it's in the best interest of Hong Kongers to use public funds to air horseracing coverage just scream for a good spanking?

HKJA chairman said, "It would be a regressive step to force RTHK to become primarily a promoter of government policies." Well, duh. But who said anything about RTHK becoming a promoter of anything? The audience isn't (all) stupid. We're not going to sit next to the radio in a trance while being force fed "You love your country" jingles. Ratings will decide to what extent RTHK can effectively play the role of the government's voice. I think someone's just jelly that she didn't get appointed into the loop. If she had something smarter to say, perhaps she'll get picked next time. People have gotten too used to being on the defense and rejecting anything the government proposes. I think we can give this review a chance, considering its committee is free of government reps. Or maybe I'm just biased because two of the committee members are reps from BU, whose mass communications department kicks ass.