RTHK axes veteran host amid changes

RTHK has kicked media veteran Allan Au Ka-lun out of its current affairs radio program Open Line Open View for which he served as a host for 11 years.

On his final show last night, Au bid farewell to his audience, saying he was notified yesterday about the decision.

"We hope to tell the truth in the program Open Line Open View This is the end of a chapter," Au said.

Besides hosting, Au is also a commentator known for his pro-democracy views as well as a professional consultant at Chinese University's journalism school. He was previously a producer, editor and news host at TVB.

The change was prompted by a "regular review" by RTHK of its programs, sources said. They did not elaborate whether it was due to complaints against Au.

The program attracted 426 complaints for an episode that included an interview of an organizer of the Hong Kong-Catalonia Solidarity assembly in 2019.

The program was accused of being biased and supportive of Hong Kong independence and for inciting hatred against police. The Communications Authority ruled that the complaints were groundless.

Tsang Chi-ho, former host of RTHK satirical TV program Headliner and radio program Crazy and Happy, was fired also fired by the public broadcaster on June 18.

RTHK Talk Show, a TV night program covering history, philosophy and literature among others, was also ended.

One of the hosts, Leung Kai-chi, a CUHK lecturer and commentator, said he was told yesterday not to record today.

Online media Winandmac, meanwhile, said it has moved out of Hong Kong, citing safety reasons and concerns with the national security law.

In a statement, the Chinese-language Winandmac said it had canceled its local business registration and moved its office overseas after receiving threats from unknown parties.

"Following the closure of Apple Daily and Stand News making adjustments, freedom of the press no longer exists in Hong Kong," said the media organization founded in 2010 in Hong Kong.

Winandmac said it still has freelance journalists in Hong Kong.

It admitted it was running low on funds and could support its overseas operation for another two to three months only. But it would go ahead with the launch of an mobile app for Apple users.

Winandmac started as an online media company 11 years ago focusing on technology, before covering all kinds of news.

Also, online media Post 852, which stopped operation in May, said it is deleting its old videos from its YouTube channel.

Founder Yau Ching-yuen apologized to viewers for the abrupt action, saying he wants to safeguard the city amid the political storm.

Stand News announced on Sunday night it would remove all commentaries submitted before June.

The outlet, which runs on revenue from advertising, subscriptions and donations, said it will stop accepting money from subscribers "so that no money will go to waste in case police freeze our assets."

Six directors of Stand News' mother company have resigned.

erin.chan@singtaonewscorp.com