the Chairman of the seeking the Council's
amendments needed to permit the
The Administration recommends that the terms of reference of the Authority be broadly similar to those proposed by the BRB, namely :
and
(a) to secure proper standards of broadcasting with regard to both programme content and technical efficiency of broadcasts; and
(b)
that Licensing Authority.
to administer the provisions of the
Ordinance (or a
Television
Broadcasting Ordinance);
future
the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment (CTEL) should become the executive arm of the
29
The extent to which the future Authority should exercise powers delegated to it by the Executive Council (for example, the power to award broadcasting licences or the initiation of major broadcasting policy changes) or by the Legislature has yet to be considered in detail. Ágain, detailed proposals on the scope of the Authority's powers will be submitted to the Executive Council in the form of draft legislation.
30
It is also proposed that if a Broadcasting Authority is to be created, sound radio broadcasting and cable television should be brought within its ambit. This will require changing the existing Television
Television Ordinance into a wider Broadcasting Ordinance.
Timetable
31
It is proposed that if the creation of a Broadcasting Authority is approved, this Authority should come into existence at the start of the next television licensing period in December 1988. The Administration also proposes that in order to effect a smooth transition from the present Television Advisory Board to the future Broadcasting Authority, consideration be given to expanding the membership of the Television Advisory Board and giving it a more influential role in the intervening period. The Executive Council's advice on proposals to upgrade the TVAB will be sought later this year.