Repression Forces Satirical Show off Air

Headliner poked fun at politics and social trends every week

A few hours ago Radio Television Hong Kong broadcast its last episode of Headliner, a satirical show based on current events. The show has been running since 1989, poking fun at government officials, policies and social trends.

One episode poked fun at the police hoarding PPE

However, the show was rebuked by the police force and its supporters, for Headliner's February 14 show that had a comedy sketch where the Hong Kong police were hoarding all the personal protective equipment during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Communications Authority later declared that episode "denigrated and insulted" the police force.

RTHK apologized then decided to suspended the show after the season ended, which is today. A review will be conducted to see how the show can be developed "in an ever changing social environment", but it is believed the show is gone for good.

I caught it a few times, and many of the running gags was a man dressed up as an empress dowager, meant to be Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and another man is her minister. They poke fun at the latest policy announcement or how she is blindly obeying Beijing.

The show has been on the air since 1989

Many worry this show is the canary in the coal mine, closing down because the impending national security law could impact the show, thus threatening Hong Kong's freedom of speech and expression.

There is more repression in the form of the shop owner of a children's clothing store in Tsuen Wan, who has placed a statue honouring Hong Kong protesters in his store, which is in a shopping mall owned by New World conglomerate, which is supporting the national security law.

The landlord has ordered Chickeeduck founder Herbert Chow Siu-lung to take down the statue, saying in the contract the landlord has to approve decoration inside the shop, but Chow doesn't agree.

"I support democracy for sure," Chow said. "I thought it was quite a nice art piece. It will be a meaningful in-store display and that's how it all started. For me, it's how I would all love it to end, but instead, it's been blown all out of proportion.

Chickeeduck has a statue of a protester

"The artist has given us two months to play with it and move it from store to store and see which landlords will embrace it. then we'll go to the next mall."

While Chow declines to say he is supportive of the protesters, he wants children who come to the store to learn more about democracy.

One Hongkonger purposely traveled from his home in Ma On Shan to Tsuen Wan to see the shop, take pictures and show his support.

"The store is one of the businesses that have the courage to clearly state their political stance. It deserves support and encouragement," he said. "Many businesses have said they are 'yellow', but not all of them have the courage to do the same."

Owner Chow has yet to meet the landlord

Chow has yet to meet the landlord and seems mentally prepared for what may happen if he doesn't comply and take down the statue.

Meanwhile late this afternoon I went to Sheung Wan to the small shop that sells nuts, candies, cigarettes and Chinese spirits, but I was shocked to find it was already shuttered. I had no idea when it had closed and there was no sign indicating where they had moved.

It has been my go-to place for nuts for almost 10 years, and in the last year or so, I asked how the shop owner was doing in terms of profits. He gave me the analogy that at first he was eating OK, just enough to be full, and then now it was down to congee. He was eeking out a living with his wife, and at one point last year he was ill and closed the shop for a few months while his wife took care of him.

My nut shop is next to this property agency

The shops next to it were also closed, probably forced out by a developer who has taken over the site.

More and more shop spaces are vacated and it's hard to remember what was there before.

Before the pandemic, we used to joke that we would starve because all the shops were all rented to luxury fashion brands, watches and jewellery.

However, now they too are disappearing with no mainland customers and not enough locals buying frivolous items.

At this rate we're going to resort to eating congee too...