COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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Kong also took part in various conferences, seminars and exhibitions convened by the private sector in the telecommunications industry.
In addition, Hong Kong hosted the fourth APEC Telecommunications Mutual Recognition Arrangement Task Force Meeting in January 1998 for the promotion and facilitation of international trade in telecommunications equipment. Hong Kong is a party to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement which was signed at the APEC Ministerial Meeting held in June 1998.
Updates
Telecommunications is a constantly changing business. Current information and the full texts of Policy Statements and TA directions and statements can be found on the ITBB and OFTA home pages (http://www.info.gov.hk/itbb/ and http://www.ofta.gov.hk/ respectively).
Broadcasting
Broadcasting Policy and Regulation
The Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting oversees broadcasting policy, the aims of which are to promote choice and diversity through competition, while regulating programme standards to ensure that public standards of taste and decency are observed. Broadcasting licences are issued by the Chief Executive in Council, and administered on his behalf by the Broadcasting Authority (BA), with administrative support from the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing.
To make the operating environment more conducive to new investments in satellite broadcast, the government announced the new liberalised licensing policy for satellite broadcasting services in January 1998.
In February 1998, the government issued the first programme service licence to Hongkong Telecom VOD Limited for the provision of video-on-demand (VOD) programme services. In July 1998, the government granted satellite broadcasting licences to Hutchvision Hong Kong Limited and Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Company Limited.
The government conducted and completed a comprehensive review of television policy in 1998 with a view to bringing the regulatory regime for television services more in line with technological development and market demands. Policy decisions. were announced in December after public consultation on a package of proposals.
Broadcasting Authority
Licensed broadcasters are regulated by the BA, whose 12 members include nine appointed members drawn from various sectors of the community, and three public officers. The BA's major functions are to make recommendations to the Chief Executive with respect to the licensing of television and radio broadcasting services and to
secure proper programme, advertising and technical standards for broadcasting licensees.
During the year, the BA started the preparatory work for the mid-term review of the subscription television broadcasting licence held by Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (formerly known as Wharf Cable Limited), which is subject to renewal in