'Nothing can stop' reforms at ATV
High-profile Asia Television investor Wong Ching has pledged to tighten his grip over the media company despite concerns he had interfered in newsroom operations.
Speaking yesterday for the first time since the resignation last week of news chief Leung Ka-wing over the station's erroneous report of the death of former president Jiang Zemin in July, Wong said he would continue to 'reform' the station and no power could stop it.
'I will strive hard for a higher position,' he said.
Leung's departure has been followed by the resignation of Yonden Lhatoo, editor-in-chief of the broadcaster's English news.
ATV newsreaders have also dressed in black or white as a silent protest against alleged editorial interference, an action that continued yesterday after Wong's speech.
Wong did not comment on the allegations, only saying that ATV was in a sensitive situation.
'It is normal to have different opinions in the course of reform,' he said. 'As long as things are not externalised and politicised, they can be resolved by internal discussion.'
Wong rejected responsibility for the erroneous report on Jiang's death and claimed that he learned it only when it was aired.
Wong is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the central government's top advisory body.
The Legislative Council's broadcasting panel has invited ATV's senior management to a meeting next Monday, however, it is unclear whether Wong will attend.
An ATV newsroom source said Wong's remarks were aimed at making his intentions official.
'What Wong has been doing is [to act] as if he is the chairman,' the source said. 'He has treated the newsroom like a zoo, bringing in visitors every week.'
Another source in the ATV newsroom said Wong's latest remarks would make the rift between senior management and the newsroom hard to mend. 'They simply ignore us and think we are lucky enough to still have a job and get paid for working here,' the second source said.
