XCC (86) 122
require
additional staff to service
Page
18
the
Authority. An
assessment of the additional resources required by Television. and Entertainment Licensing Authority will be made during the detailed planning stage for the Broadcasting Authority.
PUBLIC REACTION
62
A decision to continue with the existing pattern of two television licensees each operating one Chinese and one English television service is unlikely to attract much public comment. A small minority may regret the decision not to allocate a separate channel to RTHK but the public as a whole will regard this as a reasonable
a reasonable decision in view of the costs to the public of setting up RTHK on a separate channel.
63
A decision to invite expressions of interest from potential cable television developers will be regarded by the public as a cautious but sensible approach. Some media commentators may read such a decision to imply that the Government has some reservations
reservations about HK TelCo's proposal for cable TV.
64
A decision to create a Broadcasting Authority will be welcomed by the public. The BRB's proposal for a Broadcasting Authority has been strongly supported by individual members of the public, by District Boards, by educational and social service organisations and by some political interest groups. Legislative Councillors who spoke at the adjournment debate on the BRB Report in March 1986 were also in support of the proposal to create a Broadcasting Authority. Media reaction, however, is likely to be mixed; some commentators, in particular the broadcasting licensees will regard a decision to set up an Authority to be against the interests of media Others however will welcome the decision as Government paying heed
heed to public opinion. A decision not to create a separate Radio and Television Complaints Tribunal likely to attract some criticism.
freedom.
is
the
65
A decision to take no immediate action on corporate structure of broadcasting companies will be welcomed by the business community as further proof of the Government's commitment to positive non-intervention. Educational, social service and other grassroots organisations are likely however to be critical of the decision or regard it as an admission of weakness by the Government. There will be a mixed reaction from unofficial Legislative Council members who in the adjournment debate supported the principle that commercial licensees should confine their activities to broadcasting and related form of business only.
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