RTHK Faces “Copyright Attack” Accusations, Erases Past Programs from University Archives
Table of Contents
Hong Kong’s public broadcaster, RTHK, is embroiled in controversy after being accused of a “copyright attack” that has led to the removal of archived programs – including those from the important “721” events – from university libraries and private backups. the move, impacting institutions like the Education University, Hong Kong Baptist University, and the University of hong Kong, raises concerns about access to the region’s broadcasting history and the preservation of cultural memory.
RTHK Demands Removal of Archived Content
Beginning on October 15, 2025, RTHK initiated a sweeping request for universities to remove old programs from their collections. According to reports, the broadcaster claims it currently provides no copyright exemption for institutional archiving. This directive has resulted in the “disappearance” of RTHK content from university libraries, effectively limiting public access to these historical records.
“Further cleaning up records of ‘old Hong Kong’,” reported RFI, highlighting the broader implications of the removals. The situation has sparked debate about the balance between copyright law and the public’s right to access its cultural heritage.
Impact on Universities and Public Access
The impact of RTHK’s actions is widespread.hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is now unable to access previously available programs.the University of Hong Kong (HKU) library has also removed old RTHK programs from its collection, complying with the broadcaster’s demands.
A senior official stated that the removal of these programs represents a significant loss for researchers and the public alike. The move also affects the availability of content on platforms like YouTube, with employees revealing that new programs are no longer being uploaded.
Concerns Over the “721” Incident and Historical Record
The removal of programs related to the “721” incident – referring to the July 21,2019,attack on protestors and bystanders in Yuen Long – is particularly sensitive. The incident remains a contentious issue in Hong Kong, and access to recordings of the events is crucial for understanding the context and consequences of the protests.
One analyst noted that the removal of these specific programs raises questions about potential censorship and the deliberate erasure of historical evidence. The lack of publicly available backups further exacerbates these concerns.
RTHK’s Stance and Future Implications
RTHK has maintained that it is indeed simply enforcing its copyright rights and that institutions were previously utilizing the content without proper authorization. However, critics argue that
Why did this happen? RTHK initiated a widespread request for universities to remove archived programs beginning October 15, 2025, citing a lack of copyright exemption for institutional archiving. This action followed accusations of a “copyright attack” on the broadcaster’s historical content.
Who was involved? The key players are RTHK, the public broadcaster of Hong Kong; universities including the Education University, Hong Kong Baptist University, and the University of Hong Kong; and researchers and the public who rely on access to these archives.
What exactly was removed? RTHK demanded the removal of old programs from university libraries and private backups, including content related to the sensitive “721” incident (July 21, 2019, Yuen Long attack). new programs are also no longer being uploaded to platforms like YouTube.
How did it end? As of the current reporting, the situation remains unresolved. Universities have largely complied with RTHK’s demands, resulting in the removal of content. RTHK defends its actions as enforcing copyright, while critics allege censorship and
