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less than seven years ordinary residence in Hong Kong prior to
appointment. This will ensure that those who serve on the le Authority will have a good background knowledge of the local
community and will be better able to serve the public interest.
The other three amendments are more technical in
nature. Clause 6(3) will be amended so that the standing
cap cup orders regulating the procedures of meetings could make
reference to other relevant sections of the Ordinance, such as
clause 7.
ic.
Members consider that section 36A of the Television Ordinance, Cap. 52, which requires the Authority to consult the licensees before any broadcasting is to be prohibited, is sufficiently important for it to be incorporated into clause
9(1)(a). This clause will be amended to make it clear that the
obligation to consult before prohibition is also a major function of the Authority.
As it stands, clause 13 (3) gives the impression that
the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing
could decide on his own initiative whether to tender advice to
Le the Authority as he thinks fit. The amendment will refine
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the wording to make it clear that in fact, to advise the Authority is one of the major functions of the Commissioner.
There are also a number of other points which we feel
that the Administration should bear in mind and take appropriate action in the context of either the implementation of the Broadcasting Authority Bill or in the review of the Television Ordinance and the drawing up of the future
Broadcasting Ordinance.
For example, on the question of the renewal of the
existing television licences, Members consider that the
Administration should ensure that the relevant recommendations
of the Broadcasting Review Board would be included as new licensing conditions. We also think that the roadcasting