Judge rejects censure of gay program

A High Court judge yesterday described the Broadcasting Authority's censure of an RTHK program on homosexuality as "an impermissible restriction on freedom of speech."

In ordering the authority to quash its official reprimand, Michael Hartmann said it was "plainly wrong" to believe the TV program Gay Lover promoted gay marriage.

"It is now recognized in our law that the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex refers not only to gender but also to sexual orientation," the judge said.

As Hartmann viewed it, the 2006 program in which judicial review applicant Cho Man-chit - along with his gay partner and a lesbian couple - had featured was a study of the human condition.

  Judge rejects censure of gay program
The Standard, Hong Kong -