COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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document issued at the end of the year. The target is to formulate the new framework in 2001.
Broadcasting Authority
Licensed broadcasters are regulated by the BA, whose 12 members include nine members appointed from various sectors of the community, and three public officers. The BA's major functions are to make recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council with respect to the licensing of domestic television and radio services and to secure proper programme, advertising and technical standards for broadcasting licensees.
During the year, the BA made recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council regarding the renewal of the domestic pay television licence of Hong Kong Cable Television Limited (HKCTV) and the sound broadcasting licence of the Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited. The licences were renewed in January and May respectively.
In September, the BA published two documents for public consultation - Draft Guidelines on Competition and Draft Generic Codes of Practice. The former sets out the approach that the BA proposes to adopt when carrying out its statutory duties. under the competition provisions in the Broadcasting Ordinance. Through the effective enforcement of the competition provisions, the community will have a wider choice of programmes while the operators can freely compete on a level playing field. The latter document seeks to provide a clear and transparent regulatory framework to facilitate the business operation of licensees, replace provisions that are outdated and bring them in line with the international best practices. The codes set out the standards for different categories of programmes and advertising materials under the Broadcasting Ordinance.
In 2000, the BA's Complaints Committee dealt with 2 082 complaints. Having considered the recommendations of the Complaints Committee, the BA issued nine warnings and nine serious warnings.
Television
Hong Kong's television viewers have access to over 40 domestic and non-domestic television programme service channels in various languages. These include four free- to-air terrestrial TV channels, over 30 pay TV channels and a variety of free-to-air satellite channels.
Domestic Free Television Programme Services
The two domestic free television programme service licensees Television Broadcasts Limited and Asia Television Limited are each licensed to broadcast one Cantonese and one English-language channel. Both stations are required to broadcast programmes produced by the publicly funded Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK).
Domestic Pay Television Programme Services
HKCTV is licensed to operate a domestic pay television programme service. It broadcasts over 30 channels, including locally produced channels and acquired overseas channels. By the end of 2000, about 1.8 million homes were passed by HKCTV's network.