by Rex Wockner
International News
Hong Kong's Broadcasting Authority wrongly restricted freedom of speech when it reprimanded Radio Television Hong Kong for airing a program called "Gay Lover," High Court Judge Michael Hartmann ruled May 8.
The authority claimed the program lacked balance.
Hartmann disagreed, saying: "RTHK did no more than faithfully record the fears, hopes, travails and aspirations of persons who happened to be gay. It did so faithfully, in an unprejudiced manner."
He added: "It is now recognised in our law that the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex refers not only to gender but also to sexual orientation."
Broadcasting Authority rules require programs on controversial topics to be impartial, but Hartmann said the authority should not have embraced the discriminatory notion that homosexuality may be offensive to some viewers.
