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"The BA must conduct the review, and must report its findings direct to the Governor-in- Council."
He emphasised that despite this requirement the review had been held in as open a manner as possible.
Three public hearings had been held by the BA and surveys of viewing habits had been carried out in order to canvass public views.
The BA had listened to the views of 69 speakers at these hearings. Seven written submissions had been received from both interest groups and individuals. More than 400 members of the public attended.
The BA had made the recommendations to the Executive Council following the review as was required of it and there was absolutely no way that these recommendations could be divulged before they were submitted to the Executive Council, the spokesman said.
The Legislative Council was given several opportunities to comment on the issues in broad terms through the hearings and in LegCo Recreation and Culture Panel meetings on the subject.
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The Chairman of the BA had briefed Members at the last meeting on December 8.
In future, all mid-term reviews of broadcasting licences would be conducted by BA in the same way, that is, in an open and transparent manner through public hearings and public opinion surveys.
The Legislative Council would continue to be consulted in broad terms through its relevant panels but decisions arising from the reviews would only be made public after they had been considered by the Executive Council as was stipulated by law, he said.
End/Thursday, December 15, 1994