TNAG-2278-FCO40-3278-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Radio-Television-Hong-Kong-Board-of-Gove-1991 — Page 172

CONFIDENTIAL

39)

For discussion

on 10 September 1985

XCC (85) 125

34.

Copy No.

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

THE REPORT OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD

PA (Broadlearting)

Introduction

On 15 February 1984 the Governor on the advice of the Executive Council appointed a Broadcasting Review Board

Board to recommend the broadcasting policies to be adopted by the Government following the expiry of the present commercial television and radio licences in 1988 and 1989. The Board's terms of reference and its membership are at Annex. The Board has completed its task, and its findings and recommendations are embodied in the Report circulated to Members on 2 September 1985.

2

The purpose

of this memorandum is to draw Members' attention to the principal recommendations of the Board, to outline the Administration's planned further action, and to seek Members' advice on whether to publish the Report and invite the public's views on it.

Recommendations of the Board

3

The principal recommendations of the Board are that-

(a) Radio Television Hong Kong should be turned into an independent public broadcaster with its own Board of Governors, should be given a monopoly of airtime at specified times during the week, and should be allowed to finance itself through advertising during those periods;

(b) the existing provision of two Chinese and two English television services complemented by a public broadcaster is capable of providing a sufficient quantity of off-air television to meet the long term needs of the population;

(c)

the existing Television Authority and the radio functions of CTEL should be taken over by a Broadcasting Authority; and a Radio and Television Complaints Tribunal should be created to deal with complaints, and disputes concerning the broadcasting industry;

MICK 306/11

RECEIVED IN REGISTHY

12 SEP 1985

CONFIDENTIAL

D