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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) tonight (December 15) mounted an enforcement operation against the Citizens' Radio, which is suspected of using unlicensed radio transmitter for broadcasting.
"Under the authority of a court warrant, OFTA officers entered the premises in Chai Wan and seized one radio transmitter set. During the operation, two persons were requested to assist in further investigations," a spokesperson of the OFTA said.
"It is unlawful for any person to establish or maintain any means of telecommunications without an appropriate licence under the Telecommunications Ordinance (TO). Any person who engages in such illegal activity would contravene section 8(1) of the TO and is liable to prosecution. The offender is liable to a fine of $100,000 and five years' imprisonment upon conviction," the spokesperson said.
"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. The offender is liable to a fine of $50,000," the spokesperson added.
"Illegal radio broadcasting is liable to cause harmful interference to other legitimate service providers and users. OFTA would continue to enforce the law to ensure proper management and deployment of radio spectrum, which is a valuable public resource," the spokesperson emphasised.
Ends/Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:57
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