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Proposed broadcasting bill underway
Commenting on press reports today (Friday) on the proposed broadcasting bill, the acting Chief Secretary, Mr Michael Leung, clarified that the bill had not been shelved.
"We are still working on a draft broadcasting bill. It is a very complex piece of legislation and we have to consult widely before we put forward the proposed bill to the Legislative Council," he said.
A Government spokesman further explained that the main purpose was to provide an omnibus bill to consolidate, rationalise and update the existing broadcasting legislation.
At present there are a number of ordinances for the purpose of regulating the broadcasting industry, for example the Television Ordinance.
"The intention is to have a piece of new legislation that can cope with future technological changes without the need for frequent updating in order to deal with the present rapidly developing broadcasting industry," the spokesman said.
He said because of the other more urgent priorities, the complexity of the bill and the need to include new developments in broadcasting, for example, video on demand, the Government had not been able to make use of the legislative slot earmarked for the bill in February this year.
He said the introduction of the bill into the Legislative Council would depend on the completion of the drafting of the bill and consultation with the relevant bodies as in any other legislative processing exercise.
He said the Government hoped to be able to introduce the bill for consideration by the new Legislative Council as soon as practicable. Meanwhile, any need to regulate new types of broadcasting could be achieved by amending the relevant ordinances governing broadcasting.
On the question of possible China reaction, the spokesman said it was still early stage to talk about consultation with China when the drafting of the bill was not completed.
End/Friday, May 26, 1995