ENG-2016 — Page 355

17

Media and Communications

nine non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive, plus the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development as an ex-officio member.

Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance

The policy objective in regulating obscene and indecent articles is to preserve public morals. and protect young people from the harmful effects of obscene and indecent materials while preserving the free flow of information and safeguarding freedom of expression. The publication, including distribution, circulation and sale, and public display of obscene and indecent articles, including printed matter, sound recordings, videotapes, discs and electronic publications, are regulated by the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance.

Under the ordinance, 'obscenity' and 'indecency' include violence, depravity and repulsiveness. An article may be classified as Class I (neither obscene nor indecent), Class II (indecent) or Class III (obscene). The relevant enforcement agencies are the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration, the police and the Customs and Excise Department. These agencies and the Secretary for Justice may submit articles to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification. Publishers, authors, printers, manufacturers, importers, distributors and copyright owners may also submit articles voluntarily to the tribunal for classification rulings before publication if in doubt.

The government is drafting legislative amendments to the ordinance to improve the regulatory regime.

Websites

Access to Government Information: www.access.gov.hk

Commerce and Economic Development Bureau: www.cedb.gov.hk

Communications Authority: www.coms-auth.hk

Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau: www.cmab.gov.hk

Digital audio broadcasting: www.digitalradio.gov.hk

Digital TV: www.digitaltv.gov.hk

Government's e-bulletin: www.news.gov.hk

Home Affairs Bureau: www.hab.gov.hk

Hongkong Post: www.hongkongpost.hk

Information Services Department: www.isd.gov.hk

Office of the Communications Authority: www.ofca.gov.hk

Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration: www.ofnaa.gov.hk Radio Television Hong Kong: www.rthk.org.hk

289