According to lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong, an independent investigation led by credible social icons and scholars in journalism studies should be commenced on the alleged self-censorship of public broadcaster TDM. Ng’s urging came in a recent written inquiry.
It was reported last week that the public broadcaster had removed part of its Portuguese commentary program “Contraponto.”
The withdrawn part featured two guest commentators expressing their views on the police’s ban on this year’s June 4 vigil.
Although the TV station stressed that the delisting of the program’s section was due to opinion on a then-ongoing legal procedure, Ng cited public opinions that the commentators’ criticisms were the real reason.
Ng stressed that the matter is worth discussing across society because the sudden ban on the vigil concerns the upholding of the Basic Law and the “One country, two systems” principle.
The lawmaker admitted that the government, despite being a shareholder of the broadcaster, should refrain from intervening with newsroom operations.
In a report released previously by the government, transparency and accountability were deemed part of the core of the TDM’s administration. AL
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