Pro-democracy station pulls the plug
One of the city's biggest prodemocracy radio stations, Hong Kong Reporter, will stop broadcasting at the end of the month, its owner said last night. Stephen Shiu Yeuk-yuen's sudden announcement came as a shock to many listeners.
One of the city's biggest prodemocracy radio stations, Hong Kong Reporter, will stop broadcasting at the end of the month, its owner said last night.
Stephen Shiu Yeuk-yuen's sudden announcement came as a shock to many listeners.
The online broadcaster began as People's Station in 2004, changing its name to Hong Kong Reporter in 2005. It is seen as a key platform for young and radical voices and has helped to mobilise supporters of firebrand political group People's Power. Shiu said during his ShiuShiu Podcast last night that the station would not broadcast any new shows from March 31. It would also stop funding political groups, he said. Old broadcasts would be available on the website for a few months.
But Shiu stressed that it was not a political decision.
"It is not because of political pressure. There has been political pressure over the years and I can take it," he said. Shiu also said that although he had lost HK$15 million running the station over the years, it was not closing for financial reasons.
It is not because of political pressure. There has been political pressure over the years and I can take it
Rather, he said, he was disappointed with many people, including People Power chairman Christopher Lau Ga-hung, and lawmaker Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, both of whom were involved with the station. Both Lau and Chan could not be reached for comment last night.
