The CA warns TVB over unfair segment that caused reputational damage to interviewee

Hong Kong’s broadcast watchdog has ruled that a segment from TVB programme “Scoop” was in breach of the TV Programme Code after it 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. 

The segment was said to have contained various remarks presented in the interview, which mainly reflected the pet owner’s dissatisfaction with critiques on the professional performance of the veterinary surgeon concerned or the services provided by the centre.  

Specifically, the related remarks were essentially matters concerning the medical diagnosis of the interviewee’s pet dog; the risk of the surgery involved; the personal views and critiques of the interviewee on her discontent with the concerned veterinary surgeon’s explanation on the medical procedures; the running of the Centre; and the grief over the loss of the Interviewee’s pet dog. 

According to the watchdog, the redacted correspondence between TVB and the centre on the matters featured in the segment was shown on screen. While part of the name or logo on the shopfront was blurred with computer effects, the road sign which was captured outside the centre was shown. 

Despite most of the contents in the segment mainly reflecting the interviewee’s discontent with the performance of a veterinary surgeon, the watchdog ruled that one of the remarks featured in the segment did have the effect of misleading viewers into believing that the centre charged high prices for its medical services on a regular basis, which was unfair to the centre. TVB failed to take reasonable care to satisfy itself that the fact concerned was fairly presented. 

It also ruled that TVB had not given the centre an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond to those damaging critiques, and failed to take special care when the programme was capable of adversely affecting the reputation of the veterinary surgeon concerned and centre. 

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 watchdog considered that the complaint in respect of fairness and right of reply 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: HK broadcast watchdog says HOY TV's programme breaches guidelines

Back in July last year, the watchdog ruled that Phoenix TV has breached its license condition and Fantastic TV's HOY TV channel has violated the authority's TV programme code respectively.

According to the official statement of the broadcast watchdog, the authority has also considered a complaint case about HOY TV’s programme “What a Wonderful World” (世界多美麗) broadcast on 21 February 2023.

This came as a member of the public complained that the programme, which was classified as “Parental Guidance Recommended” (PG), was broadcast during the family viewing hours (FVHs). The programme under complaint was a travelogue about Thailand, classified as “PG” for adult elements and was broadcast from 6:00p m to 6:30pm, which is within the FVHs. Furthermore, aural and visual advice on the “PG” classification was broadcast before the start of the programme.

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