RTHK probe turned down

The Ombudsman has turned down a request to investigate RTHK's handling of its reporter Nabela Qoser, saying it will not handle the government's personnel matters.

This came after Qoser, an RTHK assistant program officer, saw her three-year probation extended by 120 days and complaints against her reopened.

Janet Mak Lai-ching, former chairwoman of the RTHK Programme Staff Union, filed a complaint to the Ombudsman against the public broadcaster for maladministration.

It is understood that the Ombudsman refused to probe Mak's complaint, saying that the office will not deal with personnel matters related to contracts, terminations and pensions.

A disappointed Mak said yesterday the Qoser case was not only a labor dispute or a personnel matter, but involved the government picking on particular employees with administrative means, so it should be regarded as maladministration.

"If government departments can disregard procedures and reopen investigations [against employees] without reason, it will certainly exert pressure on employees," Mak said.

"Therefore the Ombudsman should probe into the case and set a precedent for cases of the same kind. I have already written to the Ombudsman once again in hopes that they would reconsider," she added.

In response to media inquiries, the Office of the Ombudsman said it will not give any details or confirmation regarding individual cases to maintain secrecy under the Ombudsman Ordinance.

Qoser started working for RTHK in October 2017 and is one of the hosts of the current affairs talk show This Week on RTHK TV 31. Her sharp questioning of government officials during press conferences was praised in the media and on internet forums as a "reporter with a conscience," though she also drew ire from government supporters.

In September, RTHK informed Qoser that they would "reopen" their investigation into complaints received last year, including her performance during government press conferences.

The broadcaster's move was immediately slammed by unionists as they said it is unfair to Qoser, calling it unjustified suppression.