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Following is the transcript of the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph WP Wong, speaking to the media after attending 2006 Hong Kong Top Brand Awards and Hong Kong Top Service Brand Awards Presentation Ceremony this afternoon (January 23) (English portion):
Reporter: Can you say a few words about what you [were] concerned about and do you think interfering in this incident will affect RTHK's editorial independence?
SCIT: There is absolutely no question about interfering with the programming policy of RTHK. My concern over this incident is simply because when I read the statement issued by RTHK over the Broadcasting Authority (BA)'s decision in respect of a particular television programme, [I found that] the statement did not mention that RTHK would comply with the codes of practice issued by the BA and would take into account BA's decision in this particular case in its future programming work. But at the meeting I had with the Director of Broadcasting, he clearly conveyed the message to me that it is of course the responsibilities of RTHK to fulfil its obligations under the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between RTHK, the policy bureau at the time and the BA, which specifically obliges RTHK to comply with BA's codes of practice. The Director of Broadcasting has also assured me that there is no question at all of not complying with BA's decision. Indeed, BA's decision in this particular case will be taken into account by RTHK's producing staff in the future and RTHK will continue, as it has committed itself to do under its own internal programming guide, to follow BA's codes of practice.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript, and the statement made by Mr Wong on the issue)
Ends/Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:49
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