The CA warns TVB over misleading claims about home appliance brand

Hong Kong’s broadcast watchdog has ruled that a segment from TVB programme “Scoop” (東張西望) was in breach of the TV Programme Code after it allegedly made misleading claims about a home appliance brand. 

According to the official statement of the Communications Authority (CA), the programme which was aired on 25 November 2023 on the Jade Channel of TVB, contained a segment featuring a couple’s dissatisfaction with the shattering of the tempered glass surface of a gas cooking range and the subsequent handling of the matter by the brand.

Meanwhile, there was also a voiceover briefly mentioning the brand’s response while showing the relevant email, and the text messages between the male interviewee and the brand on screen. The brand was also mentioned several times by the male interviewee, with screen captures of the brand's webpage and logo included.

According to the watchdog, although the segment mentioned that there would be a follow-up coverage on the incident, the edition of the programme broadcast on 29 November 2023 only featured a segment on a similar incident concerning another brand and an interview with an expert who explained possible causes of the shattering of tempered glass.

The CA added that the presentation of the segment, especially in the treatment of parties being criticised, will be important in considering whether fairness had been accorded to parties involved.

The brand’s specific request for more time to investigate the incident and to offer a comprehensive reply was ignored, according to the statement. TVB, based on the information at hand, proceeded to broadcast the segment two days after receiving the request without editing out the utterances of the Brand or masking the brand name and logo.

The CA has also ruled that the dissatisfaction voiced by the interviewees and the fact that the brand was clearly identifiable throughout the segment could be regarded as a "damaging critique" of the brand that was capable of adversely affecting the reputation of the brand.

TVB submitted that it had disclosed names of companies or organisation under complaint in other instances in the programme. However, the watchdog did not regard it as a reasonable explanation since each case should be considered on the circumstances of the case.

The relevant requirements under paragraphs 9, 15 and 16 of Chapter 9 of the TV Programme Code impose a responsibility on a licensee to exercise special care in factual programmes to avoid unfairness to individuals or organisations and to allow those being criticised to have an opportunity to respond.

In view of this, the CA considered that the complaint in respect of fairness and right of respond was justified and that TVB was in breach of paragraphs 9, 15 and 16 of Chapter 9 of the TV Programme Code. The CA decided that TVB should be warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions of the TV Programme Code. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to TVB for a statement. 

Don't miss: The CA warns TVB over unfair segment that caused reputational damage to interviewee

It's not the first time TVB programme “Scoop” has breached the TV Programme Code. Back in January, the CA ruled that a segment from the programme was in breach of the TV Programme Code after it had allegedly damaged the reputation of an interviewee.

According to the official statement of The Communications Authority (CA), the infotainment programme “Scoop”, which was aired on 30 October 2022 on the Jade Channel of TVB, contained a segment featuring a pet owner’s dissatisfaction with the service provided by a veterinary surgeon and the veterinary medical centre during an interview.  

Join us this coming 26 June for Content360 Hong Kong, a one-day-two-streams extravaganza under the theme of "Content that captivates". Get together with our fellow marketers to learn about AI in content creation, integration of content with commerce and cross-border targeting, and find the recipe for success within the content marketing world!

Related articles:

TVB gets green light to sell minority stake in push for drama funds
TVB sees profit growth due to strong advertising demand in HK and mainland
HK communications watchdog approves TVB channel changes