Hong Kong's RTHK to boost new media, AI use under new five-year plan
Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yiu says RTHK will enhance its role as a public broadcaster, using new media platforms and AI. RTHK Controller Alice Kwan details internal resource reallocation and partnerships to promote national and Hong Kong stories globally.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yiu, told the Legislative Council on 6 October that under the city's five-year plan, RTHK will strengthen its role as a government department and public service broadcaster. He said the station will fully disseminate government information and promote government policies, and will also increase its use of new media platforms and artificial-intelligence technology, while deepening cooperation with broadcasters in mainland China and other Belt and Road regions.
Legislative Council member Li Ka-kei noted that RTHK's development now includes a new positioning to tell the stories of the country and Hong Kong well, and asked how this would be advanced. RTHK Controller Alice Kwan responded that in line with the 15th five-year plan, RTHK aims to broadcast globally and tell the stories of the nation and Hong Kong. She said internal staffing and resources have been adjusted according to new programming, work positioning, and production guidelines.
Kwan cited the example of a new media platform launched the previous day, which was set up using internal resource reallocation without additional funding. A dedicated task force now manages and reviews the platform's production direction and editorial role. Content is also sourced through outsourcing and partnerships with external groups, with RTHK exercising editorial control before posting suitable material online.
Regarding Channel 32, Kwan said it focuses on news and current affairs, with most resources and staff redeployed internally. Adjustments have been made to reflect market changes and audience habits for news and current affairs consumption, including scheduled news bulletins and increased online information distribution. This involves the news department, new contract staff, and external service providers. She stressed that these measures were implemented through internal resource and personnel restructuring.
Kwan noted that RTHK has cooperated extensively with the Greater Bay Area in recent years, including broadcasting Greater Bay Area Voice via RTHK radio channels, achieving over 99 per cent coverage. In programme production, RTHK partnered with the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, such as exhibiting the Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs record exhibition in Qianhai late last year. This promoted Cantonese and Mandarin pop music culture, fostering more exchange and interaction with Greater Bay Area audiences. RTHK is also set to sign a cooperation agreement with Shenzhen Broadcasting and Television, focusing on programme resource sharing and joint productions, with the aim of having RTHK programmes available in the Greater Bay Area and bringing high-quality mainland productions to international audiences via RTHK.