Monday.COME "Checking the Health of Hong Kong's Freedom of Speech: Online Radio and Digital Radio as Examples"

Some time ago, Hong Kong was seen as the only public sphere in the Greater China region, enjoying the most freedom of speech.

In recent years, since the mainstream media have gradually been shrinking and undergoing self-censorship, popular radio hosts were shut off one by one. In addition, Hong Kong's social and political conflicts have been worsening. Online radio and digital radio have been seen as the way out and where the hope lies.

However, even with the rapid development of online radio, some of the online radio channels have closer relationships with radical political parties than they are supposed to. Because of this, they have lost their ability to strike their own stance and it is hard for them to maintain their objectivity. As to the digital broadcasting radio, before it barely started to grow, bad news has emerged: the Digital Broadcasting Corporation seen as one of the digital radios with the most potential had already been shut down.

As we look at the media, we see that the old is dead and the new is yet to come alive. What has gone wrong with our media? Why is it so hard to realize our freedom of speech in both the old and new media? Is it necessary for us to have a new vision toward our media?

Topic: Checking the Health of Hong Kong's Freedom of Speech: Online Radio and Digital Radio as Examples
Date: 3 December 2012 (Monday)
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Venue: NAH 312
Speaker: Chan King Fai (Commentator and former programme host for online radio and digital radio)
Host: Mr. Choy Chi Keung (Senior Lecturer, Department of Government and Public Administration)
Language: Cantonese (Putonghua and English can be used in discussion)
Lunch:HK$10 (The School and GPA Department subsidize the remainder. Lunch is provided for REGISTERED participants only.)
Notes:Monday.COME is open to students and staff of the School of Journalism and Communication, and Department of Government and Public Administration only and is closed to the press.