Hong Kong: withdrawal of oldest satirical program from public television

Text by: RFI Follow

This is all over for "Headliner". The oldest satirical program on Hong Kong television broadcast its latest issue this Friday evening, June 19. The program has been deprogrammed by the regulatory authority. His disappearance comes amid controversy surrounding the future national security law perceived as a threat to the freedoms enjoyed by the territory.

Publicity

It has been 31 years since every Friday evening the satirical program "Headliner" met Hong Kongers on the channel of the public audiovisual group RTHK.

His sketches and caricatures, often very critical of public figures, did not fail to irritate the local executive. The fatal blow was dealt to him following the diffusion last February of a sketch presenting a policeman emerging from a dumpster, with garbage bags wrapped around the neck and hands.

The scene broadcast in the midst of a coronavirus epidemic aimed to treat the problem of protective equipment with humor. At the time, Hong Kong media reported that unlike the general public and health care workers, the police had a large number of masks.

The sketch greatly displeased some Hong Kong police officials. The chain, already accused of being too benevolent with the opposition, had to apologize.

The withdrawal of the program has aroused much criticism and feara gradual introduction of self-censorship in one of the only media officially independent of the government.

► Read also: National Security Law: "Chinese power will create instability in Hong Kong"

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