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Our position on the Provisional Legislature has been very clearly set out and we will continue to make our views known on the Provisional Legislature. But I do agree with Mr Young that it is important to seek to maximise areas for co-operation.
Mr Frederick Fung (in Chinese): Mr President, of the ten items put forward by the Preparatory Committee one is very sensitive, that is air-time on RTHK. This request in fact has caused much concern within the staff and rank of RTHK with regard to their editorial independence and production. The Chief Secretary in fact has spoken to the media that if it does not violate editorial independence, assistance might be given.
In the past it has been said that the Basic Law Consultative Committee has used air-time on RTHK. There seems to be a conflict here: you have to use RTHK air-time but it cannot affect editorial independence. When such a conflict appears on the horizon, can I ask whether the Government would protect the editorial independence as its first and foremost priority?
CS: Mr President, I do not see that there is necessarily an anomaly between on the one hand saying that the editorial independence of Radio Hong Kong will not in any way be compromised or undermined and on the other to say that within the three parameters for co-operation which I have set out, and consistent with our broadcasting policy and a well established regulatory framework, that we cannot consider positively the request from the Preparatory Committee for access to air-time, whether it is on television or through the radio.
What I have explained to Mr Lu is that before we reach a final decision, it would be necessary for us to have a clearer idea as to what types of assistance the Preparatory Committee is looking for, in particular the sort of information that they wish to put across, either on radio or on television. Once we have that clarification we will be in a better position to make a final decision..
The President: Mr Fung, are you claiming that your question has not been answered?
Mr Frederick Fung (in Chinese): Yes. The two principles spoken of by the CS and the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs might provide a conflict. If a conflict arises, would you protect the editorial independence of RTHK? All she has said is that she would need further information before a decision is made.
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The President: that there is necessarily a conflict. And the situation you have just described is hypothetical.