households own more than one it is not unreasonable to estimate the total number of radios in use at over 1,000,000. In his budget speech of 1st March 1967, the Financial Secretary reviewed the arguments for a licence fee and concluded that the best solution was to abandon radio licensing completely. This was a popular move, which has undoubtedly stimulated sales of radio receivers.
24. The abolition of the Broadcasting Receiving Licence had a further effect and that was the necessity to renegotiate the existing agree- ments with the Performing Rights Society and the International Federa- tion of the Phonographic Industry since they were previously based on the accepted number of sets in use. Future assessments of payments are to be made on a 'per capita' basis.
PROGRAMMES: GENERAL
25. Both the Chinese and English programme services are broadcast daily from 7 a.m. to midnight, although as from 26th May, 1967 both services opened at 6.30 a.m. The earlier starts were necessary in order to keep members of the public adequately informed of the transport position which was in confusion at the height of the disturbances.
26. In a report of this length it would be impossible to give compre- hensive programme details of all broadcasts throughout the period, which amounts to 24,820 hours for both services throughout the two years involved.
27. However, it is true to say that apart from the special conditions and requirements of broadcasting during the emergency periods referred to above, both services sought to offer balanced programme schedules which included the wide range of subject matter usually associated with public service broadcasting. Details of the proportional broadcasting times accorded to various programme categories can be found in Appendices 'A' and 'B'.
28. Much has been said and written in Hong Kong during the past two years concerning the so called 'information gap' which is alleged to exist between the Government and the people. This gap is largely believed to exist because of lack of machinery for the passing on of Government information or else an incorrect use of it. The problem is principally one of trying to get across Government's intentions and
5
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.