XN000022-1995-06-07 — Page 54

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Public access channel

Following is a question by the Hon Lee Cheuk-yan and a reply by the acting Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr Fred Ting, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to the Recreation and Culture Branch's assessment that the establishment of a public access channel would not be suitable for the territory, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

whether, despite the information supplied by the Branch concerning the successful examples of establishing public access channels in other countries as well as examples overseas which have encountered problems, the Government has considered the setting up of a public access channel modelled on the successful examples in other countries; if not, why not; and

whether, having regard to the concern expressed by the Recreation and Culture Branch about the "waste of public resources" because the "usage" and "public demand" for a public access channel cannot be determined, the Government has conducted any survey to substantiate that a public access channel is of interest to a minority only?

:

Reply:

Mr President,

ட்

In determining whether a public access channel is suitable for Hong Kong, the Administration has drawn on overseas experience in operating the service. Not many examples are available. Public access television is not found anywhere in Asia. Even in the few western countries with public access television, the experience is not an entirely successful one. For example, those in the United States tend to be well funded and properly set up by cable franchisees, which help users with technical assistance. However, there are problems preventing unacceptable programming from being shown. This has led to abuse in many cases. To overcome the problem of unacceptable programming, as in the case of Canada, cable operators are given responsibility for programme content. This, therefore, tends to compromise the principle of free access and freedom of expression.

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