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BROADCASTING AUTHORITY PROPOSED * * * * *
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1987
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED DRAFT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETEK
TSAO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR TSAO SAID DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD BE CONTAINED IN THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY BILL 1987 TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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MR TSAO SAID THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE SETTING UP OF BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WITH RESPONSIBILITY OVER TELEVISION, RADIO AND CABLE TELEVISION.
IT WILL CONSIST OF UP TO 12 PERSONS ΤΟ BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THREE OF WHOM WILL BE PUBLIC OFFICERS AND THE REMAINING NON- OFFICIALS. THE CHAIRMAN WILL COME FROM THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
MR TSAO SAID, INITIALLY, THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WOULD BE TO ADMINISTER THE PROVISIONS OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE. ITS RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER RADIO AND CABLE TELEVISION AFTER LEGISLATION FOR THESE SERVICES HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP.
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'IT WILL TAKE OVER THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESENT TELEVISION AUTHORITY AND TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH WILL CEASE TO EXIST, HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID AMONG THE MAIN FUNCTIONS ASSUMED BY THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE THE SUBMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL CONCERNING APPLICATIONS FOR, AND RENEWALS AND REVOCATIONS OF, TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCES AND THE ISSUE OF CODES OF PRACTICE FOR THE INDUSTRY.
"OTHER PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY WILL BE ΤΟ SECURE PROPER STANDARDS OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING IN RELATION TO BOTH PROGRAMME CONTENT AND TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE, HE ADDED.
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THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT A COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY.
"THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WILL REFER ΤΟ THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION
ALL COMPLAINTS CONCERNING ANY ALLEGED BREACHES, BY A LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER PERSON, OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BROADCASTING LICENCE, A CODE OF PRACTICE OR THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, MR TSAO SAID.
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THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS AMENDMENTS TO THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE TRANSFER OF POWERS AND FUNCTIONS UNDER THAT ORDINANCE FROM THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY AND THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
THE BROADCASTING