TNAG-1556-FCO40-2120-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 33

XCC (86) 182

3

Page

2

In accordance with the Executive Council advice on 14 October,

this

provides paper

greater detail regarding the financial and administrative arrangements applicable to the

Board of

It Governors. proposed

the Council's further advice on the question of RTHK's access to air-time on the commercial TV stations.

also seeks

A Board of Governors for RTHK

4

The submission to

broadcaster as

recommendations are

at

the

Executive Council оп 14 October recommended against turning RTHK into an independent public

It BRB. proposed by

also recommended against maintaining the status quo. Justifications for these found in the Executive Council memorandum Annex A. The Administration continues

the to hold

view that, in the light of the arguments earlier presented, the most appropriate future arrangement for RTHK should be a compromise, one which would allow RTHK to remain a public organisation and be subject to an acceptable level of financial control by the Administration, but at the same time seen to be free from undue

direction and influence, An government

acceptable future

arrangement for RTHK should satisfy the following principles: -

(a)

RTHK

should continue

public service;

(b)

(c)

to

be part of the

RTHK should continue to be publicly funded, but should be free to accept sponsorship and donations;

RTHK's editorial integrity should continue to be safeguarded, and it should continue to be, and be seen to be, а balanced objective public broadcaster.

and

5

Having

regard to

the

above principles,

it

is

recommended that RTHK should be placed under the direction of a statutory Board of Governors appointed by the Governor with the department becoming the executive arm of the Board.

be

similar

to

the

in arrangements

the

This would respect of

Housing Authority and the Housing Department. Paragraphs 6 to 18 below describe the proposed composition, functions and powers of the to be Board and the powers and functions that would continue held within the Administration; and provide in some detail the financial arrangements under which such a statutory Board might operate.