veteran quits rthk in security law broadside

Maisy Mok

Veteran journalist Steve Vines says he is leaving public broadcaster RTHK, citing the national security law that was enacted last June 30.

Vines, a former Foreign Correspondents' Club president, made the announcement yesterday on RTHK's morning radio show Backchat. He had been a guest presenter on the current affairs radio program since April.

In announcing his departure at the end of yesterday's show, which discussed the anniversary of the national security law, he said: "We happen to be discussing the first anniversary of the national security law today - it seems to me that for somebody who is more critical, the time to remain at RTHK has ended. So with great regret, but reflecting great pleasure over the years, I think I'd better go."

When asked to confirm Vines' resignation, an RTHK spokesman said yesterday that it would not comment on the resignation of individual service providers.

Vines told the media that he is having "misgivings," as he does not feel RTHK's mandate as a public broadcaster is as strong as before, adding there is more pressure on the station to be an organ of the government rather than a public broadcaster.

His departure came amid rumors that another show he hosts, The Pulse, was allegedly axed.

The Pulse airs on the public broadcaster's television channel 31 every Friday and stirred up controversy last year when journalist Yvonne Tong Yeuk-wun asked World Health Organization senior advisor Bruce Aylward if the organization would reconsider Taiwan's membership during an interview.

Vines said he had not received official notice on whether the show's final episode of the season would air on Friday as scheduled or if the program would return after its summer break.

RTHK did not comment on whether the show will continue to air in the coming days. The spokesman said yesterday that it "reviews and updates the programming strategies on different channels from time to time."

As of yesterday, The Pulse's 43rd episode is listed on RTHK 31's timetable for Friday.

Vines was a regular current affairs commentator on RTHK's chat and music radio program Morning Brew for more than 10 years before he was dropped in April.