XN000022-1994-08-24 — Page 2

1

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1994

A

HK ENVIRONMENT ATTRACTIVE FOR BROADCASTING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

*

AND

HONG KONG HAS A VERY ATTRACTIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT HIGHLY EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID.

HONG KONG ALSO HAS A SIMPLE, YET FAIR AND EQUITABLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK WHICH ALLOWS THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY CONSIDERABLE ROOM ΤΟ ADJUST ΤΟ THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DIVERSITY OF THE REGION, MR SO ADDED.

HE WAS SPEAKING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, ON "CAPITALISING ON THE FLOURISHING BROADCASTING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND ASIA".

THE FACTORS CITED BY MR SO FOR AN ATTRACTIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND AN EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE IN HONG KONG ARE:

* A STEADY

GROWING ECONOMY, WITH A SOUND FINANCIAL

INFRASTRUCTURE AND READILY AVAILABLE CAPITAL;

AND

* A FREE AND LIBERAL SOCIETY WHERE THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND INFORMATION ARE RESPECTED PROTECTED BY LAW;

* AN EXCELLENT TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE

NECESSARY TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS TO SERVICE IT;

WITH THE

* HAVING ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST SOPHISTICATED

TELEVISION PRODUCTION INDUSTRY OUTSIDE OF HOLLYWOOD; AND

FILM AND

* PROVIDING A SPRINGBOARD INTO CHINA AND OTHER REGIONAL MARKETS BECAUSE OF ITS EXTENSIVE BUSINESS NETWORK AND CONNECTIONS IN THE REGION.

"THE FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY WE ADOPT IN REGULATING BROADCASTING INDUSTRY IS ONE OF POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTION.

THE

AND

"THIS PHILOSOPHY PERMEATES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AND HAS SERVED US WELL IN DEVELOPING HONG KONG INTO THE FREE, PROSPEROUS AND THRIVING CITY IT IS TODAY,' HE SAID.

Ir

APPLIED TO THE BROADCASTING, MR SO ADDED THAT THIS PHILOSOPHY MANIFESTED ITSELF IN THREE BROAD PRINCIPLES.

"THE FIRST LIES IN THE PROVISION OF A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL BROADCASTERS ΤΟ FREELY PURSUE THEIR BUSINESS IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT.

"THE SECOND IS TO SAFEGUARD MEDIA FREEDOM THROUGH DIVERSITY. IN THIS REGARD, WE HAVE CLEAR RULES GUARDING AGAINST EXTENSIVE CROSS- MEDIA OWNERSHIP WHICH MAY LEAD TO MONOPOLIES, AND AGAINST EXCESSIVE FOREIGN CONTROL THROUGH FOREIGN CONTROL OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS.

"THE THIRD