How Hong Kong’s public broadcaster evolved from a six-person radio team to state-aligned media

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Radio Television Hong Kong began in 1928 as a modest government radio service. Over nearly a century, it expanded into a massive multi-platform broadcaster, only to face intense scrutiny, internal restructuring, and a fundamental shift in editorial direction that has redefined its role within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Established in 1928 as GOW, the service was the first of its kind in Hong Kong, initially operating with just six staff members. By 1948, it was known as Radio Hong Kong, eventually securing status as an independent department by 1954. For decades, the station relied on freelancers and limited broadcast hours, only establishing its own dedicated newsroom in 1973. The 1976 rebranding to Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) signaled its expansion into television production, a move that eventually saw it managing eight radio and five television channels.

The broadcaster’s trajectory shifted significantly following the 2019 protests. Facing criticism from pro-Beijing groups and government officials regarding editorial bias, the broadcaster underwent a series of management changes. In 2021, Patrick Li, a career civil servant without broadcasting experience, was appointed Director of Broadcasting. Under his leadership, the station implemented stricter editorial oversight, resulting in the cancellation of several investigative programs, the removal of online archives, and the departure of veteran staff. Management cited a need for stronger editorial accountability and patriotism.

Today, RTHK operates under a mandate of seamless cooperation with other government departments. Recent years have seen the broadcaster sign memoranda of cooperation with mainland Chinese entities, such as Guangzhou TV and Guangxi Radio and Television, to focus on telling China’s story. While the station once received international recognition for its investigative reporting, including awards for coverage of the 2019 protests, it has since declined such accolades, marking a definitive transition in its institutional identity and operational priorities.

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