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{{short description|Hong Kong's public broadcaster}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox broadcasting network
| network_name = Radio Television Hong Kong<br />{{nobold|香港電台}}
| network_logo = [[File:Radio Television Hong Kong Logo.svg|150px|RTHK logo]]
| network_type = [[Public service broadcasting]], radio, television and [[Internet radio|online broadcasting]]
| headquarters = Broadcasting House, 30 Broadcast Drive, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| owner = [[Government of Hong Kong]]
| available = Territorial<br/>International
| key_people = Eddie Cheung Kwok-choi (Director of Broadcasting)
| launch_date = 20 June 1928 (radio)<br/>1954 (gained independence from Government Information Services)<br/>1970 (television)<br/>1994 (online)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rthk.org.hk/classicschannel/history.htm |title=History of RTHK |access-date=6 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624064902/http://www.rthk.org.hk/classicschannel/history.htm |archive-date=24 June 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref><br>
12 January 2014 (Digital Terrestrial Television Service)<br>2 April 2016 (Taking over two analogue channels of Asia Television after their licence expired)
| founder = [[Government of Hong Kong]]
| motto = 
| past_names = GOW (1928–1929)<BR>ZBW (1929–1948)<BR> Radio Hong Kong (1948–1976)
| website = {{URL|https://www.rthk.hk/}}
}}{{Use Hong Kong English|date = November 2024}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 香港電台
| s = 香港电台
| ci = {{IPA|yue|hɛ́ːuŋ kɔ̌ːŋ tìːn tʰɔ̏ːi|}}
| j = Hoeng1 gong2 din6 toi4
| y = Hēung góng dihn tòih
| p = Xiānggǎng Diàntái
}}
{{Politics of Hong Kong}}

'''Radio Television Hong Kong''' ('''RTHK''') is the [[public broadcasting]] service of [[Hong Kong]]. GOW, the predecessor to RTHK, was established in 1928 as the first broadcasting service in Hong Kong. As a government department under the [[Commerce and Economic Development Bureau]] of the [[Hong Kong Government]] that directly supported by annual government funding, RTHK's educational, entertainment, and public affairs programmes are broadcast on its eight radio channels and five television channels, as well as [[Commercial broadcasting|commercial television]] channels.

==History==
[[File:Hong-Kong-Emmas-Radio-Show-RTHK-Radio-Sep-07-2001-00.JPG|thumb|right|Hong Kong RTHK Radio live with Emma's Classical Music Radio Show]]

The [[British Hong Kong government|British Hong Kong Government]] launched its first radio broadcasting station, known as "'''GOW'''", on 20 June 1928,{{sfn|Man|1998|p=12}} with a starting staff of only six people.<ref name="rthkhistory">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rthk.org.hk/classicschannel/history.htm|title=經典重溫頻道 Classics Channel — 細說歷史 History|publisher=RTHK|access-date=6 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214135/http://www.rthk.org.hk/classicschannel/history.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=scmp_2172002>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/2172002/exhibition-hong-kong-public-service-broadcasting-heritage|title=Exhibition on Hong Kong public service broadcasting at Heritage Museum in Sha Tin tells story of RTHK|last=Ng|first=Kang-chung|date=6 November 2018|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328072014/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/2172002/exhibition-hong-kong-public-service-broadcasting-heritage|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Several name changes occurred over the next few years, and it eventually became known as "'''Radio Hong Kong'''" ('''RHK''') ({{zh|t=香港廣播電台|labels=no}}) in 1948.<ref name="rthkhistory" />

In 1949, broadcasting operations were taken over by the [[Government Information Services]] (GIS), but by 1954, RHK had managed to establish itself as an independent department. Up until 1966, the radio station was only on-air for three periods during the day; at morning, lunchtime, and evening.  This was partly due to many of the presenters being part-time freelancers who had to fit their radio appearances in with their normal daily working schedule.

In 1969, the station's [[mediumwave|medium wave]] [[AM radio|AM]] transmitting station was moved from a waterfront site in [[Hung Hom]] to the summit of Golden Hill in the [[New Territories]]. Although the new transmitters were much more powerful, the mountain-top site proved unsuitable for medium wave transmissions and reception in some areas has remained problematic ever since. In March 1969, RHK moved its headquarters to new purpose-built studios located at Broadcasting House ({{zh|t=廣播大廈|labels=no}}) in [[Kowloon Tong]].

A Public Affairs Television Unit was established in 1970 to produce TV programmes for required broadcast by independent channels. At that time, RHK did not have its own television broadcast transmitters.

In 1973, RHK set up its own radio newsroom. Prior to this, all news had been prepared by Government Information Services staff. Until 1969, headlines were sent to the studios every half-hour by [[teleprinter]] from the GIS headquarters in [[Central, Hong Kong|Central District]], while the three daily full bulletins were hand-delivered by a messenger. This arrangement became impractical following the move to the new studios in 1969, so initially a GIS newsroom was set up in Broadcasting House. This arrangement also proved unsatisfactory and RHK's own journalists, who until then had been confined to producing magazine programmes, took over the entire news operation.

In 1976, the station's name was changed to "'''Radio Television Hong Kong'''" ('''RTHK''') to reflect its new involvement in television programme production. In the same year, it began to produce educational television programmes for schools after absorbing the previously independent Educational Television Unit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rthk9.rthk.hk/classicschannel/history.htm |title=經典重溫頻道 Classics Channel – 細說歷史 History |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001053248/http://rthk9.rthk.hk/classicschannel/history.htm |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ahSRDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA228 |title=The British Official Film in South-East Asia: Malaya/Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong |isbn=9781137493446 |access-date=13 November 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623130629/https://books.google.com/books?id=ahSRDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA228 |url-status=live |last1=Aitken |first1=Ian |date=22 November 2016 |publisher=Springer }}</ref> The corporation started drawing plans to release video tapes of popular Hollywood movies for the emerging home video market in 1980, at a time when few Hong Kong families owned a VCR.<ref>{{cite news |title=HK plans to make video tapes of films |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19800207-1.2.67.3 |access-date=7 July 2025 |work=New Nation |date=7 February 1980 }}</ref>

In 1986, RTHK headquarters moved across the road to the former [[Commercial Television (Hong Kong TV station)|Commercial Television]] studios, which were renamed Television House. The station's first news and financial news channel, Radio 7, was established in November 1989.

In December 1994, RTHK launched its website and made its television productions, as well as content from its seven radio channels, available online. The website provided live broadcasts as well as a twelve-month archive (with the exception of [[Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination|HKCEE]] and [[Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination|HKALE]] broadcasts in RTHK2 due to copyright issues with the [[Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority]]). The website, presented in English, [[Traditional Chinese]], and [[Simplified Chinese]], initially offered free news via email three times per day, as well as online content.

In 2013, RTHK trialled and launched a new television channel. To support this new television operation, the government administration increased the station's funding by between HK$300&nbsp;million and HK$400&nbsp;million a year.<ref name=thestandard_20130726>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=5&art_id=135893&sid=40000932&con_type=3&d_str=20130726&fc=8|title=RTHK focuses on new channel|date=26 July 2013|work=The Standard|author=Siu Sai Wo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222105/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=5&art_id=135893&sid=40000932&con_type=3&d_str=20130726&fc=8|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>

In April 2016, RTHK took over the analogue channel frequencies of [[Asia Television]] (ATV) after the latter's free television licence expired.<ref name="variety-licensepulled">{{cite web|title=Hong Kong Government Strips ATV of Broadcast License|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/asia/hong-kong-government-strips-atv-of-broadcast-license-1201464903/|website=Variety|date=2 April 2015|access-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324223903/http://variety.com/2015/biz/asia/hong-kong-government-strips-atv-of-broadcast-license-1201464903/|archive-date=24 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cd-rhtkanalog">{{cite web|title=RTHK invited to provide analog TV service|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2015-04/03/content_19988835.htm|website=China Daily|access-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328141011/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2015-04/03/content_19988835.htm|archive-date=28 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2017, as the Hong Kong government decided to terminate DAB services in Hong Kong, RTHK said that it would integrate the existing DAB programmes into existing AM and FM radio channels. As the government claimed that RTHK would stop DAB service within six months, meaning DAB service would be terminated no later than 30 September 2017.<ref name=archive_201704200459>[http://app3.rthk.hk/press/main.php?id=1501 Statement of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) on the termination of Digital Audio Broadcasting services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420045942/http://app3.rthk.hk/press/main.php?id=1501 |date=20 April 2017 }}, RTHK, 28 March 2017</ref>

With the termination of DAB+ in Hong Kong, RTHK announced in August 2017 that the broadcaster's relay of [[BBC World Service]] on Radio 6 would be reduced to 8 hours a day and move to an overnight slot on Radio 4; Radio 6 would instead relay [[China National Radio]]'s programme 14 which targets Hong Kong. CNR's programme 14 was previously heard on RTHK DAB 2 until DAB services in Hong Kong were shut down.<ref name=archive_20170811>[http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1347634-20170811.htm National Radio to replace RTHK's BBC relay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823074136/http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1347634-20170811.htm |date=23 August 2017 }}, RTHK, 11 August 2017</ref><ref name=archive_201708231147>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/aug/13/radio-silence-24-hour-broadcast-of-bbc-world-service-dropped-in-hong-kong Radio silence: 24-hour broadcast of BBC World Service dropped in Hong Kong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823114752/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/aug/13/radio-silence-24-hour-broadcast-of-bbc-world-service-dropped-in-hong-kong |date=23 August 2017 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]'', 13 August 2017</ref>

Since 2020, RTHK programmes are no longer broadcast on TVB channels. In February 2021 it announced it would cease entirely relaying [[BBC World Service]] radio broadcasts following Chinese government criticism of the BBC.<ref name=bbc_56030340>{{cite web|title=China bans BBC World News from broadcasting|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56030340|work=[[BBC News]]|date=12 February 2021|accessdate=12 February 2021|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212003059/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56030340|url-status=live}}</ref> Leung Ka-wing, Director of Broadcasting, said it was his decision to follow Beijing's lead in shutting off BBC, and that "Hong Kong is part of China and Radio Television Hong Kong is a department of the HKSAR Government. The decision has nothing to do with news operations."<ref>{{Cite web|title=I followed Beijing's lead on BBC, says RTHK chief – RTHK|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1576208-20210218.htm?|access-date=18 February 2021|publisher=RTHK|language=en-gb|archive-date=18 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218062608/https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1576208-20210218.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2021 management change ===
Following complaints from pro-Beijing politicians and groups for alleged bias against the police and the government, the government initiated a review of operations at the broadcaster.<ref name=hongkongfp_20210407_govt-can-charge/> In February 2021, the [[Commerce and Economic Development Bureau]] issued a report on RTHK's governance and management at a press briefing in which the broadcaster was criticised as having "weak editorial accountability". It was further alleged in the report that there were no clear records of its decision-making process on controversial and sensitive matters, while complaints handling was said to lack "sufficient transparency."<ref name="hongkongfp_20210219_deficiencies">{{Cite web |date=19 February 2021 |title=Hong Kong gov't report finds 'deficiencies' in public broadcaster RTHK's editorial management |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/02/19/hong-kong-govt-report-finds-deficiencies-in-public-broadcaster-rthks-editorial-management/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610085401/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/02/19/hong-kong-govt-report-finds-deficiencies-in-public-broadcaster-rthks-editorial-management/ |archive-date=10 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021 |website=[[HKFP]]}}</ref> The government announced the Director of Broadcasting Leung Ka-wing would leave his post six months prior to the expiry of his contract, and that he would be replaced by incumbent Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Li – a career civil servant without experience in broadcasting.<ref name=hongkongfp_20210219_deficiencies/><ref name=theguardian_20210602_sensitive/>

In August 2021, RTHK partnered with the mainland [[China Media Group]], in a move that RTHK said was intended to strengthen "patriotism" in its programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/06/hong-kong-is-unrecognizable-after-2-years-under-the-national-security-law/|title=Hong Kong is unrecognizable after 2 Years under the National Security Law|first=Angeli|last=Datt|work=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]|date=20 June 2022|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>

Eddie Cheung took over as head of RTHK in October 2022.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Chau |first=Candice |date=2022-11-10 |title=Hong Kong taxpayer-funded broadcaster should 'cooperate seamlessly' with gov't dept's, police, says RTHK chief |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/11/10/hong-kong-public-broadcaster-should-cooperate-seamlessly-with-govt-departments-police-says-rthk-chief/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref> In November 2022, he said that "RTHK and other government departments, including the police, should cooperate seamlessly to serve citizens."<ref name=":1" />

==Radio==

=== Stations ===
RTHK operates eight radio stations:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rthk9.rthk.hk/about/pdf/rthk2018corporatebrochure.pdf|title=RTHK corporate brochure 2018|url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925083509/http://rthk9.rthk.hk/about/pdf/rthk2018corporatebrochure.pdf|archive-date=25 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rthk.hk/about/pdf/annual_plan2223_en.pdf|title=RTHK Annual Plan 2022-2023|access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rthk.hk/about/pdf/annual_plan2324_en.pdf|title=RTHK Annual Plan 2023-2024|access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref>

{|class=wikitable
|-bgcolor=fcfcfc valign=top
!width=110|Station name!![[Modulation]]!!Frequency!!Primary language(s)!!Features
|-valign=top
|RTHK Radio 1 || FM || (MHz) 92.6 (Mt. Gough), 94.4 (Kowloon Peak), 93.2 ([[Cloudy Hill]]), 93.4 (Castle Peak), 93.6 (Lamma Island), 92.9 (Golden Hill), 93.5 (Beacon Hill) || [[Cantonese]] || News and current affairs, information, phone-in programmes, and general programmes
|-valign=top
|RTHK Radio 2 || FM || (MHz) 94.8 (Mt. Gough), 96.9 (Kowloon Peak), 95.3 (Cloudy Hill), 96.4 (Castle Peak), 96.0 (Lamma Island), 95.6 (Golden Hill), 96.3 (Beacon Hill)|| Cantonese (primary)|| [[Contemporary hit radio|Popular music]] (Cantonese), arts and culture, entertainment, family and community programmes 
|-valign=top
|[[RTHK Radio 3]] || AM <br>FM|| (kHz) 567 (Golden Hill), 1584 (Chung Hum Kok)<br> (MHz) 97.9 (Happy Valley, Jardine's Lookout, Park View Corner), 106.8 (HK South), 107.8 (Tseung Kwan O), 107.8 (Tin Shui Wai)|| English|| News, [[adult contemporary music]], [[classic hits]], [[oldies]], information, economic, sports and education programmes officially similar and related to [[BBC Radio 4]]. 
|-valign=top
|RTHK Radio 4 || FM || (MHz) 97.6 (Mt. Gough), 98.9 (Kowloon Peak), 97.8 (Cloudy Hill), 98.7 (Castle Peak), 98.2 (Lamma Island), 98.4 (Golden Hill), 98.1 (Beacon Hill) || English (primary) / Cantonese (secondary) || [[European classical music|Classical music]] and [[fine arts]]
|-valign=top
|RTHK Radio 5 || AM <br>FM|| (kHz) 783 (Golden Hill) <br> (MHz) 92.3 (Tin Shui Wai),95.2 (Happy Valley, Causeway Bay), 99.4 (Tseung Kwan O), 106.8 (Tuen Mun, Yuen Long)|| Cantonese || [[Classic hits]] and [[oldies]] (Cantonese and English), [[Cantonese opera]], elderly, cultural, education and children programmes 
|-valign=top
|RTHK Putonghua Channel || AM <br>FM|| (kHz) 621 (Golden Hill) <br> (MHz) 100.9 (Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tuen Mun North), 103.3 (Tseung Kwan O, Tin Shui Wai)|| Mandarin (primary) / other languages (secondary) ||News and finance, Community Involvement Broadcasting Service (CIBS) ([[community radio]])<ref>{{cite web | title=關 於 我 們 | website=社區參與廣播服務 (CIBS) | url=https://cibs.rthk.hk/about | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115143304/https://cibs.rthk.hk/about | archive-date=2022-11-15 | url-status=live | language=zh }}</ref>
|-valign=top
|[[China National Radio]] Voice of Hong Kong Channel || AM || (kHz) 675 (Peng Chau) || [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]] (primary) / Cantonese (secondary) || 24-hour relay of [[China National Radio]] Voice of Hong Kong Channel<br>Until 2017, it was a 24-hour relay of [[BBC World Service]]
|-valign=top
|[[China Media Group]] Radio The Greater Bay || FM|| (MHz) 102.8 (Mt. Gough), 103.7 (Golden Hill), 104.4 (Beacon Hill)|| Cantonese (primary) / Mandarin (secondary) || 24-hour relay of [[China Media Group]] Radio The Greater Bay
|}

===Radio programmes===

* [[RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards]]

==Television==

=== Channels ===
RTHK operates five television channels:
{| class="wikitable"
!Channel ([[Digital television|Digital]])
!Channel name
!Contents
!Date founded
|-
|31
|[[RTHK TV 31]]
|A general channel offering diversified programmes on current affairs, education, information, arts and culture, and minority interests.
|13 January 2014 {{small|(launched)}}<br>2 April 2016 {{small|(added-in analogue channel)}}
|-
|32
|[[RTHK TV 32]]
|A live-event channel covering Legislative Council meetings and other important press conferences, news sports highlights and events of public interests
|13 January 2014 {{small|(Digital terrestrial Television launched)}}
|-
|33
|RTHK TV 33
|At launch, it was a simulcast channel of what is now CGTN Documentary. On 29 May 2017, it began relaying the programmes of [[CCTV-1#Hong Kong and Macau version|CCTV-1]] 
|13 January 2014 {{small|(Digital Terrestrial Television launched)}}<br>2 April 2016 {{small|(added-in analogue channel)}}
|-
|34
|[[RTHK TV 34]] 
|Simulcast of [[CGTN Documentary]], a documentary channel broadcasting 24 hours a day in English
|1 July 2022 {{small|(officially launched)}}
|-
|35
|[[RTHK TV 35]] 
|Simulcast of [[CGTN]], a news channel broadcasting 24 hours a day in English
|1 July 2023 {{small|(Officially launched)}}
|}
The analogue television channels (TV31A and TV33A) ceased broadcasting on 30 November 2020.

A channel that dedicated to live coverage of [[2024 Summer Olympics]] and the [[2024 Summer Paralympics]], [[RTHK TV 36]], started test transmission on 24 June 2024 and began relaying sports programmes on 2 July. The channel was officially launched in time for the [[2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony]]. After the Olympics and Paralympics were ended, RTHK TV 36 ceased broadcasting on 1 November 2024.

=== Television programmes ===

==== Public affairs ====
RTHK primarily produces public affairs programmes such as ''[[Hong Kong Connection]]'' ({{lang|zh-hk|鏗鏘集}}), ''[[Headliner (TV programme)|Headliner]]'' ({{lang|zh-hk|頭條新聞}}), ''A Week in Politics'' ({{lang|zh-hk|議事論事}}), ''Media Watch'' ({{lang|zh-hk|傳媒春秋}}), ''Pentaprism'' ({{lang|zh-hk|五稜鏡}}), ''Access'' ({{lang|zh-hk|奉告}}), ''[[The Pulse (TV programme)|The Pulse]]'' and ''[[Police Report (TV series)|Police Report]]'' ({{lang|zh-hk|警訊}}). These are also broadcast by Hong Kong's three commercial television channels, [[TVB]], [[ViuTV]] and [[Fantastic Television|HKIBC]], in addition to RTHK's own television network. The government has lifted the requirement since March 2020, therefore TVB no longer broadcasts them.

==== Dramas ====
It has also produced TV dramas, including the classic ''[[Below the Lion Rock]]'' ({{lang|zh-hk|獅子山下}}).

====ETV====
RTHK and the Hong Kong [[Education Bureau]] jointly produce [[Educational Television (Hong Kong)|Educational Television]] (ETV, {{lang|zh-hk|教育電視}}), a series of educational programmes for primary and secondary students – airing during non-peak hours on RTHK stations. ETV was first broadcast in 1971 for Primary 3 students and was extended to Primary 6 students in 1974. In 1978, it was extended to cover junior secondary (Form 1-Form 3) students. RTHK formerly broadcast these programmes on their stations during non-peak daytime hours.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

While school programmes covering the topics of English, Chinese, Mathematics and Mandarin Chinese are provided to both primary and secondary students, Science and [[Humanities]] programmes are provided for secondary school students only and General Studies programmes are designed for primary students only.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

There has been confusion between ETV and the ETV division of RTHK. Besides school ETV programmes, the ETV division of RTHK produces public educational television programmes for general viewers, such as ''Road Back'' ({{lang|zh-hk|鐵窗邊緣}}), ''Anti-Drug Special'' ({{lang|zh-hk|毒海浮生}}), ''Sex Education'' ({{lang|zh-hk|性本善}}), and ''Doctor and You'' ({{lang|zh-hk|醫生與你}}).{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

The nature documentary ''Biodiversity in Hong Kong'' (大自然大不同) follows the style of BBC Planet Earth but is narrated in Cantonese. It showcases the ecosystem and biodiversity of Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web|title=香港電台電視 大自然大不同|url=https://www.rthk.hk/tv/dtt31/programme/biodiversityinhk|access-date=18 June 2020|publisher=RTHK|language=zh-hant|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619095151/https://www.rthk.hk/tv/dtt31/programme/biodiversityinhk|url-status=live}}</ref>

The high production cost of school ETV programmes was criticised by the [[Audit Commission (Hong Kong)|Audit Commission]]. In 2017–18, the production cost of school ETV programmes was a staggering HK$1.58&nbsp;million per hour.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aud.gov.hk/pdf_e/e71ch05sum.pdf |title=Radio Television Hong Kong: Provision of programmes (Executive Summary of Director of Audit's Report no. 71 Chapter no. 5, Oct 2018) |access-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926104435/https://www.aud.gov.hk/pdf_e/e71ch05sum.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Awards ==
{{See also|RTHK 2020 awards}}

RTHK has received multiple awards for its reporting on the [[2019 Hong Kong protests]], such as from the 50th US International Film and Video Festival, the 2020 New York TV and Film Awards, and the 24th Human Rights Press Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=24th Human Rights Press Awards (2020) Winners |url=https://humanrightspressawards.org/24th-human-rights-press-awards-2020-winners |website=Human Rights Press Awards |date=4 May 2020 |access-date=13 December 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513233519/https://humanrightspressawards.org/24th-human-rights-press-awards-2020-winners |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Winners Gallery |url=https://tvfilm.newyorkfestivals.com/winners/List/19482e67-0d52-455c-87f7-c83e453ed7a5 |website=New York TV and Film Awards |access-date=13 December 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623130623/https://tvfilm.newyorkfestivals.com/winners/List/19482e67-0d52-455c-87f7-c83e453ed7a5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=US International Film & Video Festival Award Winners |url=http://filmfestawards.com/awards/index.asp?PROCESS=Y&F_ENTRY_YEAR=2020&F_AWARD=&F_TITLE01=&F_CATEGORY01=&F_KEYWORDS=radio+television+hong+kong&F_MATCH_TYPE=AND&submit1=Submit |website=50th US International Film & Video Festival Festival |access-date=13 December 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

RTHK won an award for an episode of ''Hong Kong Connection'' about the [[2019 Yuen Long attack]], but declined the award and said it would not accept any awards during its "transition period" under its new director.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Candice Chau |date=21 April 2021 |title=Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK rejects media award for TV doc about police handling of mob attack |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/04/21/hong-kong-broadcaster-rthk-rejects-media-award-for-tv-doc-about-police-handling-of-mob-attack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623130622/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/04/21/hong-kong-broadcaster-rthk-rejects-media-award-for-tv-doc-about-police-handling-of-mob-attack/ |archive-date=23 June 2021 |access-date=21 April 2021 |website=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Controversies==

===Misconduct===
In 2002, a former Chief Programme Officer was convicted of [[misconduct]] in public office. The charges related to approving salary increases for one RTHK employee without complying with procedures.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

On 8 June 2006, the [[Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong)|Independent Commission Against Corruption]] (ICAC) of Hong Kong arrested four people on corruption-related charges, including a deputy head of RTHK 2 and a disc jockey, who were arrested for committing scams totalling about HK$70,000 from 1995 to 2001. They were alleged to have conspired and sold scripts for various programmes that they did not write. Another former disc jockey and her mother were alleged to have aided the conspiracy by using their bank accounts by receiving payments from the radio station. All four were arrested and were released on bail.<ref>Albert Wong and Mimi Lau, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=20381&sid=8313378&con_type=3&d_str=20060608&sear_year=2006 Four held on RTHK script con] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328175204/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=20381&sid=8313378&con_type=3&d_str=20060608&sear_year=2006 |date=28 March 2009 }}, ''The Standard'', 8 June 2006</ref>

RTHK was also criticised by the Audit Commission of the Hong Kong Government for its problems on complying with regulations on staff management. The report especially highlighted the misuse of public funds by the RTHK staff on entertainment expenses, overtime claims and the outsourcing of services.<ref>Leslie Kwoh, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090331000328/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=22781&sid=8825182&con_type=1&d_str=20060713&sear_year=2006 Lawmakers chide RTHK managers], ''The Standard'', 13 July 2006</ref>

In July 2007, the head of RTHK and Director of Broadcasting was accidentally spotted by a group of journalists in Causeway Bay along with an unidentified female. The journalists were actually waiting for singer [[Kenny Bee]], who was in a nearby restaurant. On seeing the gathered journalists, Chu ducked behind his companion. Photos became the main page headlines in some of the major Hong Kong newspapers the following day. Chu, who was one year due to his official retirement from the government, subsequently decided to seek early retirement in the aftermath.<ref>Una So and Diana Lee, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=12&art_id=48691&sid=14404248&con_type=1&d_str=20070710&sear_year=2007 RTHK chief quits amid media frenzy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330222540/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=12&art_id=48691&sid=14404248&con_type=1&d_str=20070710&sear_year=2007 |date=30 March 2009 }}, ''The Standard'', 10 July 2007</ref>

=== Nabela Qoser probation controversy ===
[[Nabela Qoser]], who became known to the public after she sharply and unremittingly questioned Hong Kong officials at press conferences following the [[2019 Yuen Long attack]], saw her three-year-long probation as a civil servant extended by 120 days following a management decision to reopen the investigations on her performance. She stood to be dismissed if she rejected the extension.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundy |first=Tom |date=27 September 2020 |title=RTHK reporter who grilled Hong Kong Chief Exec. Carrie Lam investigated again, probation extended |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/09/27/rthk-reporter-who-grilled-hong-kong-chief-exec-carrie-lam-investigated-again-probation-extended/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623130639/https://hongkongfp.com/2020/09/27/rthk-reporter-who-grilled-hong-kong-chief-exec-carrie-lam-investigated-again-probation-extended/ |archive-date=23 June 2021 |access-date=16 October 2020 |website=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Members of the RTHK Program Staff Union called the decision "unjustified suppression" and "baseless act derailing from established staff management regulations". [[Coconuts Media]] reported that pro-Beijing groups had vilified Qoser, calling her disrespectful and directing racial slurs at her.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 September 2020 |title=Decision to extend RTHK reporter Nabela Qoser's probation is 'very unfair,' union says |url=https://coconuts.co/hongkong/news/decision-to-extend-rthk-reporter-nabela-qosers-probation-is-very-unfair-union-says/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623130639/https://coconuts.co/hongkong/news/decision-to-extend-rthk-reporter-nabela-qosers-probation-is-very-unfair-union-says/ |archive-date=23 June 2021 |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=[[Coconuts Media]]}}</ref> Qoser left the broadcaster at the end of May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1589026-20210503.htm|title=RTHK gets rid of reporter Nabela Qoser|publisher=RTHK|date=3 May 2021|access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

=== Censorship under Patrick Li ===
Following the appointment of Patrick Li to the post of Director of Broadcasting on 1 March 2021, ten television episodes have been censored; YouTube content more than one years old have been removed from RTHK's channel. RTHK claimed that it was to align the YouTube channel with RTHK's policy of only making content available for one year since the date of broadcast on their own website. This move triggered a May 2021 online campaign among RTHK viewers to archive the channel on their own.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cheng |first1=Selina |date=3 May 2021 |title=Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK deletes shows over a year old from internet as viewers scramble to save backups |work=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/05/03/hong-kong-broadcaster-rthk-to-delete-shows-over-a-year-old-from-internet-as-viewers-scramble-to-save-backups/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623130646/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/05/03/hong-kong-broadcaster-rthk-to-delete-shows-over-a-year-old-from-internet-as-viewers-scramble-to-save-backups/ |archive-date=23 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hongkongers rush to 'Save RTHK' from show purge |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1589017-20210503.htm |work=RTHK |date=3 May 2021 |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505094117/https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1589017-20210503.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In early August 2021, the broadcaster deleted its English-language Twitter archive, and announced on 5 August that it was disabling comments for all future tweets due to "resource constraints" that did not allow it to combat any misinformation contained in comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/08/04/embattled-hong-kong-broadcaster-rthk-deletes-all-tweets-disables-twitter-comments/|title=Embattled Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK deletes all Tweets, disables Twitter comments|first=Tom|last=Grundy|work=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|date=4 August 2021|access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>

In March 2021, it was reported that three executives had left the company within two weeks, two of whom left because they did not want to sign an oath declaring loyalty to the government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwan |first=Rhoda |date=2 March 2021 |title=New RTHK head takes over after three senior officials quit |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/03/02/new-rthk-head-takes-over-after-three-senior-officials-quit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302055743/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/03/02/new-rthk-head-takes-over-after-three-senior-officials-quit/ |archive-date=2 March 2021 |access-date=2 March 2021 |website=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> In March, Li said that he would review all programmes before they could be broadcast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New RTHK chief lays down the law, ushers in a new age of self-censorship: source |url=https://hk.appledaily.com/news/20210304/O3AWMYYE7VEW7GZCTDJCTU7PKA/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315123103/https://hk.appledaily.com/news/20210304/O3AWMYYE7VEW7GZCTDJCTU7PKA/ |archive-date=15 March 2021 |access-date=16 March 2021 |website=[[Apple Daily]] |language=zh-hk}}</ref>

Within a month since Li took over, at least nine episodes of various programmes, including two episodes of ''Hong Kong Connection'' – known for its investigative reporting, have been axed.<ref name="hongkongfp_20210407_govt-can-charge">{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Kelly |date=7 April 2021 |title=Hong Kong gov't can charge RTHK staff for axed shows, says public broadcaster |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/04/07/hong-kong-govt-can-charge-rthk-staff-for-axed-shows-says-public-broadcaster/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407045833/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/04/07/hong-kong-govt-can-charge-rthk-staff-for-axed-shows-says-public-broadcaster/ |archive-date=7 April 2021 |access-date=7 April 2021 |website=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Days before the [[32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre]], RTHK journalists were informed that no political story would be allowed to air.<ref name="theguardian_20210602_sensitive">{{Cite web |date=1 June 2021 |title='No political story allowed': Hong Kong broadcaster falls silent on sensitive subjects |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/no-political-story-allowed-hong-kong-broadcaster-falls-silent-on-sensitive-subjects |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611032719/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/02/no-political-story-allowed-hong-kong-broadcaster-falls-silent-on-sensitive-subjects |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Programming cut back or cancelled at least 10 programmes – including an segment about the Tiananmen anniversary already aired the week before. RTHK management said three episodes of ''Hong Kong Connection'', ''Hong Kong Stories'', and ''LegCo Review'' "were not impartial, unbiased and accurate".<ref name=theguardian_20210602_sensitive/>

On 29 June 2021, RTHK let go of veteran [[Allan Au Ka-lun]], ending 11 years of him hosting the Open Line Open View program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/231630/RTHK-axes-veteran-host-amid-changes|title = RTHK axes veteran host amid changes}}</ref>

On 5 July, [[Reporters Without Borders]] published a report on world leaders who had "cracked down massively on press freedoms". As one reason for including Chief Executive [[Carrie Lam]] in the list, the report cited what it described as launching a "full-blown intimidation campaign" against RTHK,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/06/chief-exec-carrie-lam-claims-press-freedom-bolstered-by-security-law-as-watchdog-deems-her-2021-press-freedom-predator/|title=Chief Exec. Carrie Lam claims press freedom bolstered by security law, as watchdog deems her '2021 press freedom predator'|first=Rhoda|last=Kwan|work=[[Hong Kong Free Press]]|date=6 July 2021|access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref> and said that Li had been "tasked with setting up an internal censorship system" at the broadcaster.<ref>[https://rsf.org/en/predator/carrie-lam RSF's 2021 "Press freedom predators" gallery]</ref>

Patrick Li was not the first to be accused of censorship. From 2011-2015, [[Roy Tang]] was appointed as Director of Broadcasting of RTHK and faced accusations of politically interfering with the affairs of the RTHK.<ref>{{cite news|title=RTHK employee threatens to lift lid on political interference|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1191904/rthk-employee-threatens-lift-lid-political-interference|accessdate=10 April 2013|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=16 March 2013}}</ref> A survey conducted by the [[Democratic Party (Hong Kong)|Democratic Party]] in 2013 revealed that over 40% of respondents wished for Tang to step down from his position.<ref name="民調：逾4成人指鄧忍光不宜任廣播處長">{{cite news|title=民調：逾4成人指鄧忍光不宜任廣播處長|url=http://hk.news.yahoo.com/%E6%B0%91%E8%AA%BF-%E9%80%BE4%E6%88%90%E4%BA%BA%E6%8C%87%E9%84%A7%E5%BF%8D%E5%85%89%E4%B8%8D%E5%AE%9C%E4%BB%BB%E5%BB%A3%E6%92%AD%E8%99%95%E9%95%B7-042600539.html|accessdate=10 April 2013|newspaper=RTHK|date=5 April 2013}}</ref> 

=== Taiwan sovereignty controversy ===
In July 2021, Legislative Council member [[Luk Chung-hung]] asked Edward Yau, the Commerce Secretary at the time, if RTHK's use of the word "president" when referring to [[Tsai Ing-wen]] breached the [[One-China policy|one-China principle]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=New rules laid down for RTHK over Taiwan stories - RTHK|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1601729-20210720.htm?|access-date=2021-07-20|website=news.rthk.hk|language=en-gb}}</ref> A week later, RTHK implemented new rules, which [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China#Names used for ROC government, officials, and institutions|banned the use of words]] which would describe Taiwan (and the [[Republic of China]]) as an independent country in all television, radio, and online broadcasts.<ref name=":0" />

=== Tiananmen Square letter removal controversy ===
In June 2023, several days before the anniversary of the [[Tiananmen Square Massacre]], RTHK removed a letter of gratitude from its office, which thanked its reporters for covering the event and was displayed in the office for 34 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mok |first=Lea |date=2023-06-01 |title=Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK removes letter of gratitude for Tiananmen coverage from newsroom |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/06/01/hong-kong-broadcaster-rthk-removes-letter-of-gratitude-for-tiananmen-coverage-from-newsroom/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Cho Man Kit v Broadcasting Authority]]''
* [[Government departments and agencies in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of Hong Kong companies]]
* [[Media in Hong Kong]]

== Citations ==
{{reflist}}

== General references ==
* {{Cite thesis|last=Man|first=Oi Kuen, Ivy|title=Cantonese popular song in Hong Kong in the 1970s: an examination of musical content and social context in selected case studies|year=1998|degree=M. Phil.|publisher=The University of Hong Kong|url=http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/33989 |doi=10.5353/th_b3122147 |url-access=limited |place=Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong|format=PDF|hdl=10722/33989|hdl-access=free}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}} {{in lang|en|zh}}

{{Hong Kong topics}}
{{Government of Hong Kong}}
{{Commerce and Economic Development Bureau}}
{{Chinese broadcast television}}
{{Television in China}}
{{Television in Hong Kong}}
{{Radio Stations in Hong Kong}}
{{Chinese-language radio}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{AM Stereo radio stations}}
{{authority control}}

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