XN000022-1993-07-14 — Page 22

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1993

"THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH AMUSEMENT GAMES ARE PLAYED, THE DEGREE OF PARTICIPATION BY PLAYERS AND THE INTERACTIVE NATURE OF MODERN GAMES HAVE MADE THEM A UNIQUE FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT WHICH SHOULD NOT BE COMPARED WITH FILM VIEWING OR OTHER FORMS OF

ENTERTAINMENT.

"FOR THE SAME REASON, THE GROUNDS FOR PROVIDING EXTRA PROTECTION TO THOSE ADMITTED TO CHILDREN'S CENTRES AND TO FREE THEM FROM HARASSMENT BY OTHERS WHO ARE OLDER ARE THAT MUCH STRONGER, HE SAID.

HE CONFIRMED THAT THE AGE OF 16 STIPULATED IN THE BILL WAS A POPULAR CHOICE, BOTH WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE BILLS COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

AS TO MEMBERS' CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE ABUSE OF THE ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS, MR SUEN REASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE LICENSING AUTHORITY WOULD TAKE A NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES, INCLUDING ADVISORY LETTERS AND WARNING LETTERS BEFORE RESORTING TO PROSECUTIONS.

"PRIOR TO THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENCES,

WILL BE INVITED TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS.

"IN

OPERATORS

ADDITION, ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES WILL BE DRAWN UP BETWEEN THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY AND THE POLICE.

"THE TRADE AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES WILL BE FULLY INFORMED OF THE DETAILS OF THE GUIDELINES BEFORE THEY ARE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION, HE ADDED.

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CENSORSHIP OF FILMS, VIDEOTAPES AND LASERDISCS UNDER ONE ROOF

HONG KONG IS NOT READY TO ADOPT A FILM CENSORSHIP SYSTEM WHEREBY THE FILM INDUSTRY EXERCISES SELF-REGULATION AS PRACTISED IN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FILM INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH BOOMING, STILL LACKED COHESION AND A STRONG ORGANISATION FOR IT TO BE CHARGED WITH THIS VERY SENSITIVE, ONEROUS AND AT TIMES HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL TASK.

FURTHERMORE, HONG KONG PUBLIC STILL LOOKS TO THE GOVERNMENT AS THE PROPER GUARDIAN OF PUBLIC MORALS, HE SAID.

HOWEVER, I SHALL BE HAPPY TO EXAMINE THIS IDEA CONSULTATION WITH THE RECREATION AND CULTURE PANEL OF THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE FILM INDUSTRY.

MR SO WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE FILM (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WHICH AIMED TO PLACE THE CENSORSHIP AND VIDEOTAPES AND LASERDISCS MADE FROM SUCH FILMS, IN THE THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY,

FURTHER IN LEGISLATIVE

CENSORSHIP OF FILMS, HANDS OF

/IN THE