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In accordance with the Executive Council advice on 14 October,
this
provides paper
greater detail regarding the financial and administrative arrangements applicable to the
Board of
It Governors. proposed
the Council's further advice on the question of RTHK's access to air-time on the commercial TV stations.
also seeks
A Board of Governors for RTHK
4
The submission to
broadcaster as
recommendations are
at
the
Executive Council оп 14 October recommended against turning RTHK into an independent public
It BRB. proposed by
also recommended against maintaining the status quo. Justifications for these found in the Executive Council memorandum Annex A. The Administration continues
the to hold
view that, in the light of the arguments earlier presented, the most appropriate future arrangement for RTHK should be a compromise, one which would allow RTHK to remain a public organisation and be subject to an acceptable level of financial control by the Administration, but at the same time seen to be free from undue
direction and influence, An government
acceptable future
arrangement for RTHK should satisfy the following principles: -
(a)
RTHK
should continue
public service;
(b)
(c)
to
be part of the
RTHK should continue to be publicly funded, but should be free to accept sponsorship and donations;
RTHK's editorial integrity should continue to be safeguarded, and it should continue to be, and be seen to be, а balanced objective public broadcaster.
and
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Having
regard to
the
above principles,
it
is
recommended that RTHK should be placed under the direction of a statutory Board of Governors appointed by the Governor with the department becoming the executive arm of the Board.
be
similar
to
the
in arrangements
the
This would respect of
Housing Authority and the Housing Department. Paragraphs 6 to 18 below describe the proposed composition, functions and powers of the to be Board and the powers and functions that would continue held within the Administration; and provide in some detail the financial arrangements under which such a statutory Board might operate.