TNAG-0350-FCO40-386-Future-of-broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 58

13.

- 7 -

(b)

(c)

The Government's alleged policy, reflecting

the public interest, that TVB should be

faced with effective competition as soon as

possible after the expiry of its monopoly

period of five years, would be completely

frustrated.

Rediffusion, which pioneered television in

Hong Kong and which has already suffered

very severe damage as a result of the

virtual cancellation, by unilateral

Government action, of its licensed right

to relay, will either incur very heavy

cash losses or have to cease operating on

30th April, 1973; thereupon the public

of Hong Kong would be deprived of the only

alternative source of television entertainment

and hundreds of employees, including an

irreplaceable team of highly trained professional

broadcasters, would be put out of work.

It is submitted that this inequitable and undesirable

situation will only be avoided if:-

(a) The Hong Kong Government really acts with a

sense of urgency in relation to the establishment

of a second television broadcasting station,

reverting to the original timetable.

(b)

In the present quite untimely absence of the

Government Controller of Telecommunications

on five months leave, the services of a

competent adviser (e.g. from the ITA) are

procured as a matter of special urgency

(weeks not months) to resolve such problems

as may really exist in relation to frequencies,

transmitter masts, etc.

.../8...