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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has today (May 4) initiated an investigation into the suspected use of unlicensed radio transmitter equipment following unlicensed radio transmission detected at 102.8 MHz. The radio transmission mainly relayed the voice contents of an open forum held by Citizens¡¯ Radio at the Times Square, Causeway Bay.
Apart from this case, OFTA is also conducting an investigation into another case of suspected use of illegal radio transmitter equipment, which relayed the voice contents of the Mongkok open forum held by Citizens' Radio on April 20, 2008.
¡°The use of unlicensed radio transmitters is a criminal offence under section 8 of the Telecommunications Ordinance (TO). Those who knowingly participate in the delivery of messages through unlicensed radio transmitters may also commit a criminal offence under section 23 of the TO,¡± warned the spokesperson of OFTA.
¡°If there is sufficient evidence, those who are involved will be liable to prosecution. Those who used unlicensed transmitters for broadcasting and those who knowingly participated in such broadcast were doing so at their own risk of facing criminal charges,¡± said the spokesperson.
The appeal by way of case stated against the constitutionality ruling of the magistrate has been fixed for hearing before the Court of Appeal from September 10 to 12, 2008. Pending a higher court¡¯s decision, OFTA appeals to all to repose their trust in our judicial system, to respect the rule of law and to exercise restraint.
For breach of section 8 of the TO, the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and five years¡¯ imprisonment upon conviction. For breach of section 23 of the TO, the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $50,000.
Ends/Sunday, May 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:42
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