XN000022-1989-06-28 — Page 26

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989

"ON THE OTHER HAND, WE SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE UNDULY FOREIGN INVESTMENT, HE SAID.

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THE BILL PROPOSED A CEILING OF 49 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A RADIO LICENSEE COMPANY IN WHICH "UNQUALIFIED" PERSONS OR COMPANIES MIGHT HAVE AN INTEREST.

THE SAME RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AS THOSE STIPULATED IN THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE WERE USED TO DETERMINE WHO WAS "UNQUALIFIED".

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"THIS 49 PER CENT LIMIT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON THE RESIDENTIAL STATUS OF DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF A LICENSEE, WHICH IT IS PROPOSED TO INCLUDE IN THE RADIO LICENCES, SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THE INTENT OF THE BILL THAT LICENSEES SHOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST SERVE HONG KONG'S INTERESTS, MR TSAO SAID.

THE BILL ALSO DISALLOWED, WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, THE DISPOSAL OF MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A RADIO LICENSEE FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS THE GRANT OF THE LICENCE.

THE

FOLLOWING

"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PERSONS WHO APPLY FOR A RADIO LICENCE WILL ACTUALLY UNDERTAKE BROADCASTING, RATHER THAN DISPOSING OF THE SHARES AFTER A LICENCE IS ISSUED, FOR A QUICK AND POSSIBLY HANDSOME PROFIT, MR TSAO EXPLAINED.

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UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE PRESENT RADIO LICENCE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING MAY REQUIRE THE LICENSEE TO REFRAIN FROM BROADCASTING ANY SPECIFIED MATERIAL.

POWERS.

MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE UK GOVERNMENT RETAINED SIMILAR

"WE EXAMINED WITH GREAT CARE WHETHER SUCH AN UNFETTERED POWER SHOULD CONTINUE, AND IF SO WHETHER IT SHOULD BE VESTED IN THE

COMMISSIONER.

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"WE CONCLUDED FIRST THAT SUCH POWER SHOULD CONTINUE BUT IN QUALIFIED FORM; AND SECONDLY THAT IT SHOULD BE VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL,' HE SAID.

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SECTION 13M OF THE BILL THEREFORE GAVE POWER ΤΟ

THE

GOVERNOR

IN COUNCIL TO PROHIBIT PROGRAMMES WHERE HE CONSIDERED THE PEACE OR GOOD ORDER OF HONG KONG WAS THREATENED.

MR TSAO SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD LIMITED ITS EFFORTS TO MAKING THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE GRANT OF THE TWO NEW LICENCES.

"IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION'S INTENTION, HOWEVER, TO BEGIN WORK EARLY NEXT YEAR ON A CONSOLIDATED BROADCASTING ORDINANCE COVERING OFF-AIR AND CABLE TELEVISION AS WELL AS RADIO BROADCASTING.

"WE INTEND IN THAT CONTEXT TO REVIEW IN DETAIL THE VARIOUS PIECES OF BROADCASTING LEGISLATION WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING UPON AND STREAMLINING THE REGULATION OF BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG, HE SAID,

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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