XN000022-1989-06-28 — Page 27

25

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989

BILL EXTENDS BA'S POWER TO COVER RADIO BROADCASTING

* * *

A BILL INTENDED TO EXTEND THE POWER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) TO COVER RADIO BROADCASTING WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

UNDER IT, THE BA WOULD BE GIVEN SIMILAR REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS IN RELATION TO RADIO BROADCASTING AS IT ALREADY HAD IN RELATION TO TELEVISION BROADCASTING, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE COUNCIL.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, MR TSAO SAID THAT TO DATE THE BA HAD BEEN CONCERNED PRIMARILY

WIRELESS TELEVISION, ALTHOUGH ITS AD HOC BASIS ON A NUMBER OF OTHER

ADVICE HAD BEEN SOUGHT ON AN BROADCASTING ISSUES.

WITH

"WITH THE IMMINENT GRANT OF A NEW LICENCE ΤΟ THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO. LTD. AND THE INTENDED GRANT OF A SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO LICENCE IN 1990, THIS IS CLEARLY AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO EXTEND FORMALLY THE REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO RADIO BROADCASTING, HE SAID.

"I

MR TSAO SAID THE REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS CONCERNING RADIO BROADCASTING WOULD INCLUDE ISSUING OF CODES OF PRACTICE AND DIRECTIONS TO THE LICENSEE ON PROGRAMME, ADVERTISING AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS; AND IMPOSITION OF FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, DIRECTIONS, CODES OF PRACTICE OR LICENCE CONDITIONS.

THEY WOULD ALSO INCLUDE CONDUCTING OF INQUIRIES INTO

GOVERNOR REVOCATION OF LICENCES WHEN DIRECTED TO DO SO BY THE COUNCIL, AND DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIO BROADCASTING.

THE BILL'S PROVISIONS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE A RIGHT OF APPEAL THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE BA, HE ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

THE

IN

TO

0

BILL TO GIVE PRIVILEGES TO ICRC REGIONAL DELEGATION

*

IMMUNITIES

WOULD BE

CERTAIN PRIVILEGES AND REGIONAL DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF

THE LEGISLATIVE INTO (ICRC) UNDER A BILL INTRODUCED (WEDNESDAY).

THE BILL IS THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS) BILL 1989.

AND

IMMUNITIES

GRANTED TO THE THE RED CROSS COUNCIL TODAY

(INTERNATIONAL

/MOVING THE

+