Hong Kong 'war on humor' pits public broadcaster versus police

RTHK loses right to show programs on other channels as political heat rises

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An RTHK program sparked an uproar over jokes implying that the police were hoarding protective supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak.  © Getty Images

MICHELLE CHAN, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- A spat between the Hong Kong police and the city's public broadcaster over a comedy show upended a decades-old industry practice this week and raised fresh concerns about free expression.

A recent episode of "Headliner," RTHK's satirical current affairs show, sparked the controversy when the hosts made jokes implying that the police were hoarding more protective gear than front-line medical staff during the new coronavirus outbreak.

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