Hong Kong regulator issues strong advisory to TVB over misleading health advice
Hong Kong's communications authority has upheld 10 complaints against a TVB Plus programme, issuing a strong advisory over inaccurate and potentially harmful health advice given by a doctor guest.
Hong Kong's Communications and Information Bureau (CIB) has issued a strong advisory to broadcaster TVB after upholding 10 complaints against a programme aired on its TVB Plus channel in March 2026.
The programme, titled "Things about medicine that even mothers don't know," featured a doctor who made two specific health claims that complainants said were inaccurate and misleading. The doctor stated that "vegetables and fibre are not essential for human survival, growth or health" and that "increasing water intake to relieve constipation is only effective for patients with severe dehydration."
Complainants argued these statements contradicted public health guidelines from the World Health Organization and the Centre for Health Protection. The CIB determined that because the programme was explicitly positioned as "clarifying misunderstandings and presenting true facts related to health," it qualified as a medical and health issues programme subject to accuracy requirements under the Television Programme Code.
In its ruling, the CIB said the doctor failed to cite any basis or research for his professional advice, which could mislead viewers into believing that eating vegetables causes constipation. The regulator also criticised the programme's hosts, noting that while they lacked medical expertise, they had not made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information presented.
The CIB emphasised that a disclaimer at the end of the programme did not relieve the licensee of its responsibility to comply with accuracy standards. The regulator ordered TVB to strictly adhere to the relevant provisions of the Television Programme Code going forward.