HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL
28 June 1989
香港立法局———————————一九八九年六月二十八日
27
persons who apply for a radio licence will actually undertake broadcasting, rather than disposing of the shares after a licence is issued, for a quick and possibly handsome profit.
Governor in Council's power to prohibit broadcasts
Sir, under the conditions of the present radio licence, the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing may require the licensee to refrain from broadcasting any specified material. The United Kingdom Government retains similar powers.
We examined with great care whether such an unfettered power should continue, and if so whether it should be vested in the commissioner. We concluded first that such power should continue but in a qualified form; and secondly that it should be vested in the Governor in Council. Thus section 13M of the Bill gives power to the Governor in Council to prohibit programmes where he considers the peace or good order of Hong Kong is threatened.
Sir, in conclusion, I should point out that we have limited our efforts to making the legislative amendments necessary to provide for the grant of the two new licences. It is the Administration's intention, however, to begin work early next year on a consolidated Broadcasting Ordinance covering off-air and cable television as well as radio broadcasting. We intend in that context to review in detail the various pieces of broadcasting legislation with a view to improving upon and streamlining the regulation of broadcasting in Hong Kong.
With these comments, Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be adjourned.
Question on the adjournment proposed, put and agreed to.
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION moved the Second Reading of: "A Bill to amend the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance."
He said: Sir, I rise to move the Second Reading of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill 1989.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.