The boss of embattled Hong Kong Television Network Ricky Wong has been named Man of the Year 2014 by listeners to the territories public broadcaster.

RTHK Radio 2’s Icons of the Year awards saw more than 21,000 votes cast.

Last October, the government rejected Wong’s plans for a new terrestrial free-to-air tv licence, a decision criticised by the public and media industry.

Wong beat off competition for Edward Snowden, the Amercian whistleblower who ended up in Hong Kong after disclosing classified National Security Agency documents to several media outlets.

Wong also won  Quote of the Year for his comment following the decision: “Who rules – the law, the policies, or the chief executive?”

Woman of the Year went to Lam Wai Sze, who hit the news when she swore at police during a protest over their “oppression” of Fallun Gong, a religious cult banned in China.

Gaffe of the Year went to Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung.

While HKTV employees – many of whom were laid off after the company failed to secure a TV licence – and its supporters won People of the Year.