HONG KONG—After the Hong Kong government refused to grant a license to Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV), the public rallied with massive protests, estimated at times to number 120,000 people, demanding the government explain itself. Those protests failed to move the Legislative Council, which decided on Nov. 8 after hours of debate not to take up a cause their consituents clearly supported.
The motion before Legco would have forced the Executive Council to turn over documents regarding the decision that granted licenses to PCCW’s Now TV and i-Cable, but not to HKTV.
When the Legco vote was announced, 10 ex-staff members of HKTV who have been camping outside government headquarters expressed their disappointment, and some were moved to tears. They declared that they would withdraw and end their 19-day vigil.
However, the HKTV staff union vowed it would never give up and is planning a New Year’s parade on January 1.
Staff union president Henry Yeung said that as long as the government did not explain the truth, the storm would swirl bigger and bigger.
HKTV actor Ai Wai, who watched the live broadcast of LegCo’s decision, said that the HKTV incident does not only concern HKTV, it matters to all Hong Kong citizens.
“Every Hong Kong citizen should come out and stand up, otherwise there will be no more hope for Hong Kong … [Hong Kong] is ruled by men with such poor credibility, and that is very aggrieving.”
He joked that in his years of acting he has often played the bad guy, but this time he saw what real bad guys are like.
Communications Authority’s Stand
Hong Kong’s Communications Authority (CA) surprised many LegCo members by taking HKTV’s side. The CA submitted a letter to LegCo that disagreed with Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying’s refusal to grant the license.
CA chairman Ambrose Ho disclosed in the letter that Leung’s Executive Council had repeatedly requested CA to revise their recommendation to grant licenses to all three TV stations. CA rejected the requests, believing that granting three licenses was in the best interests of the general public.
Since all three applicants met the licensing requirements, the CA said that it was inappropriate to treat them differently.
The CA also disclosed that public poll results they handed over to the Executive Council in 2010 showed that most of those surveyed supported granting licenses to all three applicants.
Widespread Disapproval
Many people and groups have openly expressed their disapproval with the license denial.
Even a staff member from one of the two “winning” TV stations disagreed. Stuart Chiron, PCCW’s Head of Group Regulatory Affairs, attended the LegCo meeting and agreed with the CA’s suggestion to grant all three licenses and let the free market make the choice.
Many famous artists and celebrities who normally maintain political neutrality showed up to support HKTV’s cause. Famous British singer Kashy Keegan flew all the way to Hong Kong to join the protest rally.
All Hong Kong radio stations have been swamped with call-ins against Leung, and hundreds of thousands of netizens have expressed their criticism.
To this, Leung is said to have replied, “All is transparent, thanks for the input.”
Eden Lam Woon-Kwong, convenor of Leung’s own Executive Council, has urged Leung to “deeply reflect and correct” the license decision. Lam admitted that the decision was far from the expectations of citizens.
While many criticized Lam for his remarks, former Executive Council member Selina Chow said she found his open comment courageous and hopes that Leung will follow the public opinion and reconsider granting the license.
Leading newspapers commented that the more Eden Lam explains, the more it shows the conflict within the establishment.
Political Worries
Many Hong Kong citizens have expressed concern about what the license denial means for Hong Kong’s freedom of press.
Ever since Leung took office, Hong Kong citizens have protested and complained that Leung is an underground member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Many believe that the HKTV was denied a license because the CCP is trying to monopolize the TV market in Hong Kong.
Property Central Line founder and media boss Shih Wing Ching said that there are political considerations behind the license denial, adding that the CCP wants to snatch “the right to speak” and force the Hong Kong government to become a puppet.
During the HKTV rally, protesters stood on a stage and cried out to Leung, “We will make you pay back double!”
Translated by Y.K. Lu. Written in English by Sally Appert.
