The Hong Kong government has dumped its government-funded would-be public broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), as the official producer/broadcaster of the 23rd anniversary celebrations of the change in rule from Britain to mainland China. 

For the first time since 1997, commercial broadcaster Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB) will produce the 1 July flag-raising ceremony and celebrations.  

RTHK said at the weekend that it will still be producing a live pool feed for other media outlets.

The government said TVB had been brought on board to produce a broader series of programmes to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the promulagation of the Basic Law, which functions as a constitution for the special administrative region.

The flagraising ceremony and celebrations are being billed as part of the wider production agreement. 
That’s as much of an official reason as is being given. 

RTHK spokesperson, Amen Ng, said the station had not been invited to participate in production of the 1 July events.  

Local commentators are linking the decision with conflict between RTHK and authorities about editorial independence and coverage, including the Hong Kong protest movement. 

Satirical RTHK programme, Headliner, which has been suspended as of 19 June, has been singled out as one of the drivers of the government’s decision, as has RTHK’s line of questioning to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Taiwan.  

In May this year, RTHK apologised for Headliner’s portrayal of the police as mask-hoarding trash. 

The apology followed a Communications Authority (CA) ruling that the show had denigrated and insulted the police, and has presented factually inaccurate information. 

A government committee has been set up to review RTHK.