Hong Kong’s ombudsman has refused to investigate a complaint that accused the public broadcaster RTHK of unreasonably extending the probation period of outspoken journalist Nabela Qoser.

Qoser joined the channel in October 2017, and was the host of the This Week program renowned for asking tough questions to public officials, which made her a target of the pro-Beijing camp. Her probation period as a civil servant was extended for 120 days just before it was due to end in October this year.

A probe into complaints against her between last July and last November was also reopened. The station’s management had recently asked Qoser to submit a written reply for the investigation, the RTHK Programme Staff Union cited deputy director of broadcasting Eugene Fung as saying. Fung was responsible for the investigation.

Former chair of RTHK Programme Staff Union Janet Mak filed a complaint to the ombudsman accusing the publicly-funded RTHK of maladministration. But the watchdog refused to launch a probe saying that it would not handle matters in relation to contracts, resignations and pensions, Apple Daily has learned.

Mak said she was disappointed by the result and said the incident was not a personnel issue but rather the government using administrative means to suppress an individual staff member. If a government department can relaunch an investigation without a reason and without following procedures, staffers would face unlimited pressure, Mak said.

Mak has written to the Office of the Ombudsman to urge it to open a file. The office cannot reveal the contents of cases to a third party, it told Apple Daily in a reply.

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