- 3-
"And in line with government policy, the licence fees payable will be charged on a full-cost recovery basis.
"As regards changes to the codes of practice relating to programme and advertising standards, BA already made and implemented quite a number in the past year. Another change which will take effect on December 11, 1995, will require labelling of television programmes to better inform viewers."
-
Under the new Code, the stations have to classify programmes not suitable for children into two categories "Parental Guidance Recommended" or "Mature" - and advertise them before and during the transmission by superimposing the appropriate labels on the screen.
BA hopes that such information will help parents exercise guidance over their children's viewing.
On the mid-term review of the Commercial Radio licence, the spokesman said BA's recommendations had taken into account people's listening habits as revealed by the survey it conducted earlier in the year, as well as opinions expressed at two public hearings and elsewhere, and the submissions of the licensee.
"As a result, BA recommended that Commercial Radio should be required to broadcast programming aimed specifically at both young people and senior citizens, and to boost arts and cultural programming on the two Chinese language services.
"This was a response to views expressed at the public hearings organised by BA as part of the review process," the spokesman said.
Two new conditions will also be introduced to the licence of Commercial Radio on grounds of public interest.
The first is intended to promote free competition by prohibiting the licensee from entering into any arrangement or agreement which will have the effect of restricting competition by other persons in relation to the establishment or operation of a broadcasting or telecommunications service.
The second is the introduction of a full-cost recovery licence fee.
These two conditions have been incorporated in the licences of ATV and TVB and will be extended to all the other licences in due course.