A Hong Kong broadcaster has cancelled a documentary series on global conflicts after online backlash, with comments accusing it of being politically motivated in favour of Ukraine and neglecting Russia’s narrative.

Scheduled as a 10-episode series, the first two instalments of TVB’s Cantonese show Planet Under Fire were broadcast on Monday and Tuesday night. They followed host Maria Luisa Leitao in war-torn Ukraine, where she interviewed civilians and a Ukrainian soldier.

The country has been at war since Russia invaded in February 2022. An estimated 1 million have died as a result of the conflict, while millions of Ukrainians have been driven from their homes and displaced internally or overseas.

The show sparked debate online, with commenters accusing it of being biased and not reflecting Russia’s point of view. One person compared TVB to defunct pro-democracy media outlet Apple Daily. Many of the comments were made in Facebook groups including SaveHK, one of the largest pro-Beijing communities on the platform.

People also criticised Leitao, accusing her of wanting to brainwash viewers and being a mouthpiece for the US.

“Those who were interviewed are probably actors. This show has political motives,” one comment read.

The documentary has not aired since Tuesday, with information about the show removed from TVB’s website. A Facebook post made by Leitao about the show also disappeared.

From Wednesday to Friday, during the 10.30pm slot that had been occupied by Planet Under Fire on Monday and Tuesday, a special programme on US president-elect Donald Trump retaking the White House was scheduled.

In the same time slot next week, a travel programme about the southern Chinese city of Shantou has been scheduled for Monday to Friday.

HKFP has reached out to TVB for comment.

In a since-deleted social media post, TVB described the show – which focuses on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza – as an “insightful documentary that immerses viewers in today’s most intense war zones.”

Leitao said in a behind-the-scenes video uploaded to TVB’s YouTube channel in August, which showed her at the airport before leaving Hong Kong to film in Ukraine and Russia, that she believed the show would be very meaningful. She said it would be able to bring home “messages” for viewers in Hong Kong.

Separately, NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Hong Kong said it had cancelled an opening ceremony on Saturday for an exhibition at Central Market. Leitao was understood to be one of the guests at the ceremony.

HKFP has reached out to MSF to ask why the ceremony was scrapped.

Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team