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The following is issued on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority:
This press release summarises the outcome of the Broadcasting Authority's deliberations in November and December 2010:
In November 2010, the Broadcasting Authority approved the application of Goodnews Communication International Limited for the renewal of its "other licensable television programme service licence" for the provision of television programme service in hotel rooms in Hong Kong for a period of three years.
The BA also noted that in October and November 2010, the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing (CTEL) dealt with 260 cases (385 complaints) under its delegated authority, of which 15 cases (16 complaints) were classified as minor breaches and 151 cases (260 complaints) were unsubstantiated. The remaining 94 cases (109 complaints) were held to be outside the ambit of the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance. The monthly complaint figures dealt with by CTEL from November 2009 to November 2010 are shown in Figure 1. A chart showing the nature of the unsubstantiated complaints classified by CTEL in October and November 2010 is at Figure 2. A chart showing the nature of complaints which were classified as minor breaches is at Figure 3. Further information about the complaints is available at the BA website (www.hkba.hk).
In December 2010, the BA approved the recommendations of its Codes of Practice Committee to make the following revisions to the Generic Codes of Practice on Television Programme and Advertising Standards and the Radio Code of Practice on Advertising Standards following public consultation:
(a) relaxing the superimposition of programme change announcements, programme promotional messages and information on local date, time, weather and emergency situation within television programmes;
(b) relaxing the types of materials that can be sponsored within television programmes;
(c) aligning the restriction on advertisements for products or services concerned with clinics for treatment of hair and scalp with that under the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance ; and
(d) revising the provisions governing nutrition claims in advertisements to reflect recent amendments to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.
The licensees were consulted about the proposed revisions and they generally welcomed the proposal.
The revised provisions are expected to take effect in January 2011 and details are at the Appendix.
Ends/Thursday, December 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:34
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