RTHK dismisses police criticism of word choice

RTHK expressed regret at the police’s allegation, saying the term 'hit back' was simply a factual description of what happened. Photo: RTHK

RTHK says it is “regrettable” that the police had accused the public broadcaster of trying to “mislead” its listeners by using an incorrect wording in its coverage of the events at Edinburgh Place on Sunday.



The Police Public Relations Bureau had sent a letter to the Director of Broadcasting on Monday, saying that it was inappropriate for the station to say that protesters had “hit back” at officers after officers used “minimal” force to contain the chaotic situation.



In the letter, the police pointed out that officers only resorted to using force after they were attacked by demonstrators who were trying to defend a man who had been arrested for taking down a national flag.



The force said it was inappropriate for RTHK to say that protesters then “hit back” by hurling water bottles at officers as that implied that the police had proactively used force against the demonstrators in the first place.



RTHK, for its part, expressed regret at the police’s allegation, saying the term “hit back” was simply a factual description of what happened.



It stressed reporters at the scene saw riot police entering the venue after a man took down a national flag. Chaos then broke out and officers used batons and pepper spray against protesters.



Demonstrators at the scene then "hit back" by hurling objects like water bottles at them.



At one point, a police officer took out his gun out and aimed it at the crowd, but did not fire any shot.



RTHK has come under repeated criticism from government supporters, who accuse the station of biased reporting and siding with anti-government protesters while some other people say that the broadcaster is being used to spread government propaganda.