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Complaints against karaoke lounges
Following is a question by the Hon Eric Li and a reply by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr James So, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
of the number of complaints lodged in the past three years against karaokes for showing category III films on video-tapes, laser discs or compact discs respectively to persons under the age of 18; together with the number of successful prosecutions and a breakdown of the sentences passed on each of the successful prosecutions; and
what measures the Government will adopt to reduce the showing of category III films to persons under 18 years of age in those establishments?
Reply:
In the past three years, the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) had received three complaints, of which two related to laser discs and one to video-tapes, about the showing of alleged Category III film clips to persons under the age of 18 in karaoke establishments. No prosecution had been taken against the operators of these karaoke establishments as there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. However, these operators had been warned not to show Category III film clips to persons under the age of 18, which was an offence liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 on first and second conviction and $100,000 on subsequent conviction.
Measures have already been and will continue to be taken to remind the public not to show Category III films to persons under the age of 18 in public places, including karaoke establishments. During the past two years, TELA distributed more than 11,000 posters and 10,500 leaflets to remind the public of the age restriction imposed on Category III films. There is a similar warning in the certificate of approval for Category III films as well as on the packaging of Category III video-tapes and laser discs.
In connection with the planned publicity for the refined film classification system after the enactment of the Film Censorship (Amendment) Bill 1995, TELA will make use of this opportunity to further remind the public as well as karaoke operators that Category III films are prohibited to be shown to persons under the age of 18.
End/Wednesday, June 28, 1995