Issue No.: 40 Date: 9 Nov 2006

Panel report on Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

The Legco information technology and broadcasting panel released a report on the study of PSB for Hong Kong with a view to identifying the key issues which would need to be properly addressed for the government’s reference when formulating a policy on PSB. Universality, diversity, independence and distinctiveness are emphasized as guiding principles while editorial independence is stressed to be a core value.

The PSB model for Hong Kong is suggested to:

• be a statutory body without the government control and be regulated by a licensing system.
• be operated by a governing board comprising external members on the basis of merits.
• regularly report to the Legco and establish a mechanism for evaluating its performance and enhancing its public accountability. An Ombudsman to deal with complaints is recommended.
• be funded, possibly, by government appropriation in funding cycles of three to five years, matching grants on an ad hoc basis, private donations and commercial sponsorship subject to certain limits to avoid commercial influences.
• produce programmes to promote biliteracy and trilingualism, to reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of Hong Kong society, provide a forum for a fair exchange of views.

The possibility of multiple public service broadcasters should further studied while the panel insisted there should be enough public resources to support the operation of at least one full-fledged broadcaster and sustain its long-term development. Opening up public access channels is also recommended despite the government’s policy stance.

I welcome the report and moved a motion on this topic at the council meeting on 1 November 2006 to urge the government to consider the report findings when formulating a policy on PSB. The motion was passed.

The panel had presented a broad picture for further discussion, I am eager to learn your views on this important issue. I am egar to learn your views on this important Bill. Please do drop me a few lines (cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk) if you have any comments.

CK Sin

05/06 work report

I recently published my printed version work report. It provides you an update on my work last year. To read my work report, please visit here.

Panels

Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting

Next meeting: 13 November 2006 [Agenda]

• Capital Works Reserve Fund Head 710 Computerisation Subhead A007GX – New administrative computer systems
• Public Consultation Document on Digital 21 Strategy
• Review on the Convergence of Fixed and Mobile Communications Services

Bills Committees

Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill
[LegCo Brief] [Content of the Bill]

Next meeting: 14 November 2006 [Agenda]

Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2006
[LegCo Brief] [Content of the Bill]

Next meeting: 20 November 2006 [Agenda]

Motions

15 November 2006

• Cooperation between Hong Kong and the Pan-Pearl River Delta region
• Assisting people with disabilities in integrating into society

22 November 2006

• Leisure cum entertainment centre with a casino element
• Electing the Chief Executive by universal suffrage

Council Questions

18 October 2006

• Open network access requirement in 3G mobile services licences

25 October 2006

• IT in education

1November 2006

• Review on level of local access charge for telecommunications services

8 November 2006

• Capability Maturity Model Assessment Grant

News

Public consultation on 2007 Digital 21 Strategy

Click here to download the consultation document. All comments and submissions should be sent to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer by 18 December 2006. For details, please click here.

Election Committee(EC) Subsector Elections

The nomination period for the EC Subsector Elections ended on 8 November. There are 39 nominations for the information technology subsector. Polling will be held on 10 December 2006. For more information, please go to the EC website.

The key function of the EC is to elect the Chief Executive. Your vote is important. DO REMEMBER!

Activities

ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006

The theme this year is 'Living the Digital World'. Highlighting Hong Kong as the gateway to the Mainland market, it is a platform for international exchange and for the local ICT and related industries to demonstrate their strengths.

The expo is organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is the most prominent global telecommunications, as well as ICT, event held once every three years.

Date:  4 – 8 December, 2006
Venue: The AsiaWorld Expo, Chek Lap Kok

Please visit here for details and take immediate action to register online NOW!

For enquiries, please contact the Hong Kong, China Secretariat at 2189 2268 by phone or marketing@world2006.hk..

My column @ Wen Wei Po

• Response to the public by subsidizing pre-primary education - 13 Oct
• Does policy address really pay attention to IT? - 21 Oct
• Mapping the way forward on public broadcasting service - 27 Oct
• Development of e-government services rests on the government’s attitude - 4 Nov

If you like to comment on my articles, please drop me a few lines of words. (column@sinchungkai.org.hk)

This is a bi-weekly online newsletter. Published on every alternate Thursday during my term in the LegCo, it is designed to keep the IT professionals and the public in touch with what I am doing. For any questions, comments, concerns, subscription or unsubscription, please send to cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk.
>>Read past issue>>