ENG-2020 — Page 332

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Media and Communications

Digital Television

Full digital TV broadcasting was implemented in Hong Kong from 1 December. Two commercial free-TV broadcasters and RTHK provide digital coverage to at least 99 per cent of the population, while one commercial free-TV broadcaster provides digital TV services through a fixed network that covers about 93 per cent of households. As at October, about 95 per cent of households were receiving digital TV services.

Review of Broadcasting Regulatory Framework

In October, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed by the Legislative Council, intended to remove outdated broadcasting regulatory requirements and facilitate the sustainable development of the television and sound broadcasting industries.

Postal Services

Hongkong Post provides reliable postal and related services at affordable prices. In 2020, it handled 0.98 billion postal items, 78.3 per cent of which was local mail.

To keep pace with the growth of e-commerce, Hongkong Post is actively extending the network of iPostal stations to provide greater convenience for customers in collecting their mail.

Resilience in the face of COVID-19

Hongkong Post strived to maintain normal postal services during the pandemic. It gave top priority to handling mask packages posted from abroad, and delivered more than 6.23 million packages of CuMask+M and packs of surgical masks. All 121 post offices also helped distribute specimen bottles for testing of COVID-19.

Stamps and Philately

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Thirteen issues of special and commemorative stamps were released during the year, including two stamp sheetlets issued in December on the theme of 'Together, We Fight the Virus!

Postal Cooperation

In July, as part of the PRC delegation, Hongkong Post took part online in the Executive Council's Plenary Meeting of the Asia Pacific Postal Union to discuss international postal developments. In December, Hongkong Post joined the Third Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao Postal Summit, on promoting the postal industry's development.

Film Classification

To allow adults wide access to films while protecting the interest of young people and children, Hong Kong adopts a three-tier film classification system with four categories: Category I, which is suitable for all ages; Category IIA, not suitable for children; Category IIB, not suitable for young persons and children; and Category III, for persons aged 18 or above only. Categories IIA and IIB are advisory, while the age restriction for Category III films is mandatory. The classification standards are kept in line with society's expectations through public surveys and consultation with a statutory advisory panel of about 300 members drawn from different backgrounds.

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