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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has today (May 18) initiated an investigation into the suspected use of unlicensed radio transmitter equipment following unlicensed radio transmission detected at 102.8 MHz at about 2:30 pm to 4pm.
Apart from this case, OFTA is also conducting an investigation into two other cases of suspected use of illegal radio transmitter equipment, which relayed the voice contents of the open forums held by Citizens' Radio on 20 April 2008 and 4 May 2008 respectively.
"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 10 to 12 September 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 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:07
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