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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) and the Police, today (December £¹) laid charges on Citizens' Radio and three men who were connected with OFTA's three enforcement operations mounted in October against suspected use and establishment of unlicensed radio broadcast and equipment.
The operations were mounted on October 4 at Mong Kok, October 13 at Chai Wan and October 18 at Wan Chai respectively.
”°Citizens' Radio and two men were charged with conspiracy to establish a means of telecommunications without a licence for the event on October 4 in the pedestrian zone at Mong Kok.
In relation to OFTA's enforcement action on October 13 in Citizens' Radio premises at Chai Wan, Citizens' Radio and two men were charged with maintaining a means of telecommunications and using radiocommunications apparatus without licence.
Charges were also laid against Citizens' Radio and two men for conspiracy to establish a means of telecommunications without licence in relation to Citizens' Radio open forum in the pedestrian area outside Wu Chung House, Wan Chai on October 18.
The maximum penalty for such offences, upon summary conviction, is $50,000 fine and two years' imprisonment. They will appear in Eastern Magistrates' Courts on December 15,”± OFTA's spokesperson said.
”°Further, warning letters have been issued to the speakers who were present and might have participated in live radio broadcast of Citizens' Radio on October 4 and 18.
Under the Telecommunications Ordinance, any person who, knowing or having reason to believe that a means of telecommunications is being maintained in contravention of the Telecommunications Ordinance, delivers any message for transmission by such means of telecommunications, commits an offence,”± continued the spokesperson.
Ends/Saturday, December 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:21
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