(e)
RTHK' s out put
should be subject to regulation by the
the Broadcasting Authority in a similar way to the output of commercial licensees (paragraph 11(a) below).
Members will be asked to recommendations should be approved.
the
advise
whether these
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
3
In order to fulfil its public broadcasting role RTHK operates as a radio broadcaster in its own right, and as a producer of television programmes for the commercial television licensees to broadcast. The existing policy guidelines are set out in General Circular No. 31/83 at the Annex.
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4
The role of the public broadcaster is essentially to provide programmes of good quality which inform, educate and entertain the people of Hong Kong, and more specifically
to
(a) ensure the provision of
objective
balanced and accurate information on local and international affairs; and
(b) provide a mixed output of programmes which
>
(i)
cater for the
needs needs and
interests
of
various
sections
of
the
community;
5
(ii)
encourage and promote interest in culture, language, music and other
arts;
(iii) help to foster community identity.
а
In practice, whereas commercial broadcasters tend to emphasize mass entertainment programmes, and keep constant wat ch on audience figures, the public broadcaster is in a position to complement the output of the commercial licensees by putting greater emphasis on public affairs programmes and catering for minority tastes in arts, culture and other areas.