XN000022-1988-06-29 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1988

LEGISLATION INTENDED TO ENSURE TV COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIVE

THE TELEVISION { AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROVIDES THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE THE OFF-AIR TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE COMING YEARS.

TO

ENSURE

THAT

IT ALSO SEEKS

THE LICENSEE COMPANIES CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING.

THE

THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, HON PETER TSAO, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.

AMENDMENTS NECESSARY ΤΟ

MR TSAO SAID THE BILL INTRODUCED THE ISSUE NEW LICENCES TO TELEVISION COMPANIES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ANNOUNCED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.

་-

"IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE MORE IMPORTANT CONDITIONS SHOULD BE BACKED UP BY LEGISLATION SO THAT THE LICENSEES WOULD HAVE A DEGREE OF CERTAINTY AS REGARDS THE FUTURE REGIME, HE EXPLAINED.

"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT DRAFT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO, AND I HOPE DISPOSED OF, DURING THIS SESSION OF THE COUNCIL IN TIME TO PROCESS THE RENEWAL OF THE EXISTING LICENCES WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 1, 1988."

HE ADDED THAT THE LICENSEES HAD HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO PLAN POR NECESSARY CHANGES SINCE THE TERMS WERE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH.

NOTING THAT THE BILL WAS NOT THE OUTCOMF OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, MR TSAO SAID SUCH A REVIEW WOULD BE CONDUCTED AND THE ORDINANCE RESTRUCTURED ΤΟ INCORPORATE POLICIES NOT ONLY ON OFF-AIR TELEVISION, BUT ALSO ON RADIO BROADCASTING AND CABLE TELEVISION.

THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT} BILL EMBODIED THREE PRINCIPAL

CONCERNS:

(1) OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF OFF-AIR TELEVISION LICENSEE

COMPANIES;

(II) THE PROHIBITION ON THE LICENSEE COMPANY BEING HELD BY A HOLDING COMPANY AND RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES BY THE LICENSEE COMPANY; AND

(111) THE QUESTION OF ROYALTY.

·

ON OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL, MR TSAO SAID THE BILL'S OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENSURE THAT MAJORITY INTERESTS REMAINED IN THE KONG PEOPLE.

HANDS OF HONG

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