TNAG-1556-FCO40-2120-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 107

CONFIDENTIAL

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The Director of Broadcasting, as the Chief Executive of RTHK, should be responsible to the Board of Governors on all matters relating to RTHK.

Financial arrangements

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for

and

RTHK's head of expenditure in the Estimates will be replaced by a one-line subvention to the statutory Board. While the detailed financial arrangements will depend on the form of the legislation setting up the statutory Board, it is envisaged that, as for other subvented organizations, the Board will be required to submit through the Secretary for Administrative Services and Information to the Governor, his approval, a programme of its proposed activities estimates of its receipts and payments for the next financial year; to keep proper accounts and records of all receipts and payments; and to submit to the Governor annual reports of its activities including audited accounts, which will be tabled in the Legislative Council. The subvention to the statutory Board will be subject to the voting of funds

funds by the Legislative Council. Detailed arrangements governing the relationship between the Government and the statutory Board will be embodied in a memorandum of administrative arrangements.

Staffing arrangements

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As RTHK would remain within the public service, the existing staffing arrangements should continue in general, but be suitably adjusted to meet the needs of the new organisation.

RTHK and the Broadcasting Authority

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the

RTHK should be subject to regulation by Broadcasting Authority, in the same way as commercial broadcasters, particularly with regard to whether its programmes meet the standards laid down by the Authority.

II.

PRESENCE OF RTHK ON TELEVISION

The BRB's Proposals

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The BRB, noting that the two TV licensees understandably place emphasis on the production of programmes with mass appeal, especially during prime time, has concluded that:-

(a)

RTHK has a continuing important role to play in producing programmes to educate and inform the public; in particular during the current period of

changes;

rapid socio-economic

CONFIDENTIAL