45
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In the case of Hong Kong, we do not impose pre-censorship or pre-viewing of programmes. Instead, we rely on post-broadcast sanctions. However, introduction of any public access channel would require pre-viewing programmes so as to maintain the same quality and standards as existing TV broadcasting licensees and to ensure that the service would not be misused for political, commercial or pornographic purposes. Bearing in mind that television is a very powerful media and the impact it has on the viewing population, any damage done would be difficult to rectify.
As regards to the second part of the question, the subject of a public access service had been discussed at the LegCo Recreation and Culture Panel on numerous occasions since early 1994. Since the early part of 1994, these Panel discussions had been widely reported in the media, but despite this, only three written representations were received on the matter. Given the very real problems as identified by the Working Group in setting up a public access service in Hong Kong and the subsequent decision by the Executive Council on this matter, wider consultation amongst the public will not serve any useful purpose.
Thank you, Mr President.
End/Wednesday, June 7, 1995
Quality of water supplied to Hong Kong from China
Following is a question by Rev the Hon Fung Chi-wood and a reply by the Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is recently reported that despite the effort made by the Shenzhen authorities to improve their hygienic conditions in the Dongjiang River and Shenzhen Reservoir, which supply water to the territory, the pollution problem is still serious. With the. arrival of summer season in which infectious diseases are prevalent, the people in the territory are concerned about this matter. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council whether;
(a)
the Water Supplies Department and other Government departments have conducted regular checks of the quality of the water supplied to the territory from China; if so, whether they have detected any deterioration in water quality; and what measures have been put in place to ensure that the water quality is up to the standard required; and