RTHK

Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK; Chinese: 香港電台) is the public broadcaster of Hong Kong, operated as an independent government department under the Communications Authority.

Structure

RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television stations in Hong Kong. While it is government funded, it has a reputation for maintaining editorial independence. RTHK produces and broadcasts educational, entertainment and public affairs programmes. Since 2006, there has been debate whether or not to transform RTHK into a public corporation.

History

The Hong Kong Government launched their first radio broadcasting in June 1928. They named it under the call-sign "GOW". Several name changes occurred over the next few years, until in 1948, when it was given the name "Radio Hong Kong" (RHK) (Chinese: 香港廣播電台).

In 1949, broadcasting operations were taken over by the Government Information Services (GIS), but by 1954, RHK managed to establish itself as a separate department, becoming independent of GIS.