DATELINE: HONG KONG

The public do not want government propaganda from Radio Television Hong Kong [RTHK]. We never act that way. That is why we have gained credibility. : M.L. Ng.
Introduction: M.L. Ng is the host of a two hour, live talkback radio program, Talkabout, which goes to air on RTHK from Monday to Friday. Educated at Hong Kong's Chinese University, Mr. Ng was formerly a senior journalist in the RTHK newsroom.The program which usually includes an interview with a leading local identity, broadcasts about twenty callers selected from about 150 people who phone in each day .The interview was recorded at the RTHK newsroom on 22.4.97.
Ng: Talkback has three very important functions in Hong Kong. One is that it acts as a public forum to reflect the views of the people and to discuss public issues. Secondly we make members of the legislature and officials from public bodies accountable to the people. Whenever they have done anything wrong, we put them on the line and the questions are put to them by myself and the callers. Thirdly, the program works for the underprivileged. These people who don't have the knowledge or the financial means to seek justice for themselves. I am talking about the elderly, the people in very poor housing, the people who fall below the poverty line.

Knight: some people see talkback is little more than entertainment.

Ng: I stick to a number of values. For example, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These are the four values which help me decide the lines to take in particular issues. These values should be shared by the world as a whole.

Knight: Why do you think Guandong radio (mainland China) has adopted talkback programs in recent years?

Their talkback is slightly different from ours. if you compare Guandong radio to that of ten years ago, you would find that it is much, much more open. Once one could not imagine talkback radio in China. But if you listen to their programs, you find there are a number of restricted areas. You cannot touch politics. You cannot touch some of the ideological conflicts. People know these are no man's areas. They won't overstep the border line. You can talk about social affairs. You can talk about consumer interests but not politics, particularly touching one party rule, i.e. the Communist Party is the only authority in China. You cannot discuss this basic system.

Knight: So will things change for RTHK after July?

Ng: All along, we have been saying that we are trying to maintain editorial autonomy. If China is serious about the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, then Hong will be given high autonomy. RTHK, despite the fact that it is a government department, has maintained editorial autonomy for at least twenty or so years. The tradition is already there. The government cannot just tell RTHK, 'Do this and don't do that'. The public do not want government propaganda from RTHK. We never act that way. That is why we have gained credibility. Surveys show that we are considered to have very high reliability. After 1997, I hope we can maintain editorial autonomy and keep doing what we are doing without interference.

Knight: During the cultural revolution, a talkback host was actually killed in Hong Kong. Are you concerned about you own professional future here?

Ng: Under the Basic Law, we are supposed to operate a different system to China. A high degree of autonomy means that we can continue to do what we are now doing. The Talkabout program would be able to continue in its present format. We never screen our callers by their views.

Alan Knight

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