RTHK Editor Sentenced to Community Service for Upskirting in Hong Kong

A senior editor at Hong Kong’s government-funded broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), has been sentenced to 160 hours of community service after pleading guilty to filming up a woman’s skirt in the bustling Mong Kok district last year.

Chong Tak-yin, an Assistant Chief Assignment Editor in RTHK’s Chinese-language news and current affairs division, appeared before Magistrate Jeffrey Sze at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday. He was charged with one count of unlawful recording or observation of intimate parts, a case commonly referred to as upskirting.

Court documents show that Chong followed the victim along Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok on November 14, 2023. Police officers on patrol noticed him acting suspiciously, holding his phone at a 45-degree angle beneath the woman. After intercepting him, officers found a 17-second video on his phone showing the victim’s underwear. Under caution, Chong admitted to acting in “a moment of lustfulness” and requested a second chance.

During the sentencing hearing, Chong’s lawyer presented positive probation and community service reports, describing the 57-year-old as having a family and a stable career. The defence argued that Chong had sought professional help to address his behavior and expressed confidence in his ability to complete the community service order with a low risk of reoffending. His full cooperation during the investigation was noted as evidence of genuine remorse.

Magistrate Jeffrey Sze ultimately handed down a 160-hour community service order. The maximum penalty for upskirting in Hong Kong is five years’ imprisonment.

Chong remains listed as an editor at RTHK on the government’s civil servants directory. In earlier mitigation submissions, the defence stated that Chong is married with an unemployed older son and a younger son in school. The family relies on his monthly salary of approximately HK$90,000.

Chong pleaded guilty earlier this month, reportedly telling the court that failing to do so would set a poor example for his sons. His admission of guilt reflects remorse and acceptance of responsibility for his actions.

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