The controversy surrounding the dismissal of Commercial Radio talk-show host Li Wei-ling has touched on a number of issues which are of great concern to Hong Kong people. By alleging that her dismissal was linked to the displeasure of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying - an accusation firmly refuted by Leung - Li has insinuated that freedom of speech is under threat.

Her allegations have stirred an uproar among the usual crowd of so-called liberal-minded politicians, commentators and academics. The controversy drags on as the management of Commercial Radio steadfastly refuses to disclose the reason behind Li's firing, saying it is a private matter between the station and Li.

Some politicians have called for an investigation to ascertain the reason for Li's dismissal by a special committee of the Legislative Council. They justified the investigation by arguing the matter has become a public issue and sparked a media frenzy.

Dramatic as it was, the development last week didn't seem to suggest that freedom of speech is at stake. In contrast, freedom of speech in Hong Kong was most vigorously manifested in the widespread coverage of a sometimes tearful Li and her many supporters on television, in the printed media and on the Internet.

She was even invited to appear in the widely popular Sunday City Forum program of the government-owned Radio and Television Hong Kong. Not only was she allowed to repeat all the allegations she made against Leung and her bosses at Commercial Radio during the hour-long show, but the host gave her the last word before a crowd of supporters.

While suggesting repeatedly that freedom of speech is being compromised by the government, Li has been fully exercising her right to such a freedom. Throughout last week, she was given more time than any government official, politician or movie star ever was on all the most popular television stations. What's more, her story appeared in newspapers almost every day since she was fired.

In almost every occasion, Li repeated the allegations against the government and her former employer. Although her many allegations have been denied by the parties concerned, they continue to be taken up by her supporters without feeling the need to qualify them.

Of course, Li hasn't done anything wrong. She was just exercising her right to speak up against her former employer who, she believes, has wronged her. But it is important for the public to understand that the matter is nothing more than a spat between a commercial enterprise and one of its employees.

Other than denying that her firing had anything to do with implied or explicit pressure from the government as insinuated by Li, Commercial Radio continues to confound its distracters. It simply refuses to disclose the real reason for firing a high-profile host on one of its most popular programs.

But it is Commercial Radio's call.

The author is a senior editor with China Daily. jamesleung@chinadaily.com.cn

(HK Edition 02/20/2014 page1)