TVB, a Hong Kong broadcaster, decided to cancel a documentary series called “Planet Under Fire” after facing criticism online. The show was accused of having a bias in favor of Ukraine and neglecting Russia’s perspective on the conflict. The first two episodes, which aired on Monday and Tuesday, followed host Maria Luisa Leitao as she interviewed civilians and a Ukrainian soldier in war-torn Ukraine, which has been embroiled in conflict since Russia invaded in February 2022.
The cancellation of the show sparked a debate online, with many commenters expressing their views on social media platforms like Facebook. Some accused the show of being politically motivated and not showing both sides of the conflict. The criticism also extended to Leitao, with some accusing her of trying to brainwash viewers and acting as a mouthpiece for the US.
Following the removal of “Planet Under Fire,” TVB replaced the time slot with other programs, including a special on US president-elect Donald Trump retaking the White House and a travel program about the city of Shantou in southern China. The show’s information was also removed from TVB’s website, and a Facebook post by Leitao about the show disappeared.
In a now-deleted social media post, TVB described the documentary as an “insightful documentary that immerses viewers in today’s most intense war zones,” focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Leitao, in a behind-the-scenes video, expressed her belief that the show would be meaningful and carry important messages for viewers in Hong Kong.
Additionally, NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Hong Kong canceled an opening ceremony for an exhibition at Central Market, where Leitao was supposed to be a guest. The reasons for the cancellation have not been disclosed.
HKFP has reached out to TVB for comment on the cancellation of the show. Hillary Leung, a journalist at Hong Kong Free Press, has been covering local politics and social issues, including the challenges faced by minority communities. Leung, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, has a background in journalism and sociology and has previously worked with TIME Magazine and Coconuts Hong Kong.
As the controversy surrounding the cancellation of “Planet Under Fire” continues, the decision to pull the show has raised questions about media bias, freedom of expression, and the portrayal of conflicts in the media. It remains to be seen how TVB and other broadcasters will address these issues in the future.
