ENG-1993 — Page 375

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

also assisted the government in conducting a policy review on radio broadcasting, and made a number of changes to the codes of practice on programme and advertising standards for radio. In addition, the authority embarked on a television broadcasting survey which is expected to yield useful data for the mid-term review of the wireless television licences to be carried out in 1994.

Complaints Committee

All complaints relating to television and radio broadcasting are considered by the Complaints Committee of the Broadcasting Authority unless they are of a trivial or frivolous nature. Complaints may be lodged in writing or through a 24-hour hotline provided by the authority. During the year, the authority dealt with 637 complaints concerning quality and standards of television and radio programmes and advertisements. Acting on the recommendations of the Complaints Committee, the authority issued five warnings and nine serious warnings to the two wireless television stations. Three financial penalties were imposed on the two wireless television stations. It also issued two warnings and two serious warnings to the two commercial radio stations, and imposed a financial penalty on one of the commercial radio stations.

Working Group on Review of Codes of Practice

The authority's Working Group on Review of Codes of Practice met regularly during the year to review the codes of practice on programme, advertising and technical standards for television and radio services. As a result, revisions were made to provisions governing financial advertising, local property advertising, the portrayal of superstition in pro- grammes, programme sponsorship, definition of an advertisement, and supplementary standards on medical preparations and treatments.

The working group drew up a new code to regulate the scheduling of programmes on wireless television. In the context of the radio broadcasting review conducted during the year, the working group recommended the relaxation of restrictions on sponsorship of news programmes on radio and streamlining of provisions governing the protection of children and young listeners.

The working group also drew up new codes of practice on programme and home shopping standards to regulate the newly-introduced subscription television service.

Television Viewing Advisory Panels

The Television Viewing Advisory Panels, whose members represent different sections of the community, provide the authority with opinions and suggestions on television broadcasts. The scheme has been in operation for over 10 years. Nineteen district television viewing groups, with a total membership of about 600, have been formed in the Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories regions. There are also three regional panels with membership drawn from the 19 district television viewing groups, a television advisory panel on English language services and a special advisory panel on children's and youth programmes. All these panels are chaired by the authority's members.

Television Broadcasting

Wireless Television

Television viewing remained Hong Kong's most popular leisure activity in 1993, with more than 98 per cent of households owning one or more television sets. Sixty-nine per cent also

325

Page 375Page 376