Hong Kong’s TVB Drops Public Shows, Drawing Criticism

  • Move comes after regulator approved longstanding TVB request
  • Police chief said that ‘Headliner’ ridiculed officers

Police officers confront protesters gathered in a public state building complex in Wong Tai Sing, on Feb. 12.

Photographer: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

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One of Hong Kong’s leading broadcasters stopped carrying a current affairs program after regulators overturned a 30-year requirement to run public television shows, generating criticism of the station from some pro-democracy groups.

Hong Kong’s Communications Authority said this week that local broadcasters with free TV licenses no longer have to air programs from government-funded RTHK, following a request submitted by Television Broadcasts Ltd. on Jan. 9 that followed prior applications.