TNAG-1602-FCO40-2198-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1987 — Page 93

the

mass

Except for Radio Televison Hong Kong which is ownec by

Government, the large number of

media undertakings in Hong Kong are all private enterprises. Most of the newspapers assume sole responsiblity for their profits or losses.

Hence, they are highly concerned about their acceptability to the public.

4.1.

3

Distinct political viewpoints

4.1.

4

4.2

In fact, the newspapers in Hong Kong have clearly distinct political viewpoints. At present, publications representing the various political forces and viewpoints may be published freely.

Law-abiding

must

there

Hong given

the

At present, publications and electronic mass media abide by the law. According to government records, were 46 cases of magazines being prosecuted by the

Kong Government and 5 cases of newspapers government

in 1985 for infringing Objectionable

Ordinance (cap 150) by publishing pornographic photographs and writing.

warning

Publications

and

In addition, there were about 60 cases of newspapers magazines being prosecuted by individuals or companies for libel in 1985.

However, tighter control is imposed on electronic media:

Since

there are only limited channels and television programmes are "free-of-charge". Even though there will be cable television in the future when viewers will pay for watching programmes, the compelling nature of this mass medium will remain. Once it is switched on, the electronic medium with its particular viewpoints will intrude into the viewers' home. Hence, the impact of television is immense. Moreover. as frequency channels are generally regarded public property, the government usually imposes certain restrictions upon the owners of electronic media (e.g. the owner must be ૩ national of the country in which his television station operates). The operation of a electronic medium is not treated as a purely commercial activity. Hong Kong is no exception: according to the present legislation,

the

directors of licensed television broadcasting companies who actively participate in management of the company should be British nationals ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. This is to prevent abuse of such an influential medium.

majority

of

the

who

the

4.3

At present,

these laws are enforced by:

1.

Court

2.

Royal Hong Kong Police Force

3.

Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority

4.

Newspapers Registration Unit

5.

Customs and Excise Department

3