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The Bill will also allow licensees under the Television Ordinance to invest in satellite broadcasting ventures without limits on their shareholding, or the need to obtain the prior approval of the Broadcasting Authority.
Mr Chau said that this would clear the way for TVB to be given a licence for its Galaxy satellite broadcasting venture and for other licensees to invest in similar
ventures.
In addition, newspapers publishers will be disqualified from exercising control of any licensee under the Television Ordinance unless they obtain a waiver from the Governor in Council.
"This would give effect to a long-standing Government undertaking to limit cross-media holdings, so as to prevent the media from being dominated by a few large companies," Mr Chau stated.
The new rule will not apply to any newspaper publishers who exercised control of a licensee on or before March 21, 1996, when the Government announced its policy.
The Television (Amendment) Bill 1996 will be published in the Gazette on November 15 and introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on November 27.
End
District Administration Scheme advances representative government
The District Administration Scheme (DAS) has been successful in bridging the gap between the Government and the community it serves and in enabling residents to participate in the running of their own community, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, said today (Thursday).
Addressing the "Serving the Community through District Administration" seminar organised by the Home Affairs Department to mark the 15th anniversary of DAS, Mr Suen noted that the Government, being always sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the community, had introduced the Scheme in 1981 and that the most important component of which was the setting up of District Boards (DBs) in 1982.