The New Radio Television Hong Kong

Recommendations on fulfilling its Mission as a

Public Service Broadcaster (PSB)

Background information of RTHK

Chief Executive appointed an independent

Committee on Review of PSB

Review Committee

submitted its report to the Government

Chief Executive in Council decided on the way forward on the development of

PSB

Public consultation

exercise

Jan 06 Mar 07 22 Sep 09 4 Dec 2009

Background information of RTHK

Public service broadcaster Remain a government department Specific public purposes Corporate governance and greater

accountability Pure, apolitical, neutral, objective

Recommodations on New RTHK

Corporate governance Protection of editorial

independence and freedom New programming opportunities Period for Public consultation

1. Corporate government

The Board of Advisor

Appointed by the Chief Executive Board-based, comprising

representatives from different sectors

Professional fields ranging from journalism to accountancy

Advise the Director of Broadcasting Editorial policy, programme

standards, public standards reviews

The Board of Advisor

Advise the Director of Broadcasting and RTHK’s chief editor

Editorial policy, programme standards, public standards reviews

Standard practice for government department Advisory Committee of Cantonese Opera

Development Fund Labour Advisory Board Nominations Advisory Committee

for Advise (Electoral Affairs Commission) Director of Broadcasting would have last word

2. Protection of Editorial independence and freedom

Charter for the RTHK

The Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government will issue a charter covering all the main aspects of the operation of RTHK. Replace an existing framework agreement

between the government and RTHK-which is subject to renewal every two years- be reviewed every five years.

Set out the relationship between the Government and the new RTHK and entrench the editorial independence arrangements.

3. New programming opportunities

Promoting Civil Education Establishing Education & Promoting lifelong learning Fostering social harmony & promoting pluralism Stimulating creativity and excellence to enrich the multi-cultural life of HK people

3. New programming opportunities

Promoting Civil EducationStimulating creativity and excellence to enrich the multi-cultural life of HK peoplePublic opinion programme of PSB survey, HKU in March 2006Close to 85% of the respondents believed programme production should “provide diversified, informative programmes”

Additional funding of $21 million to promote national education

For Example

Co-operate with the Committee on the Promotion of Civil Education

Video, Snap shot competition or game booth to promote the concept of “one country two system” and social harmony

3. New programming opportunities

Establishing education & promoting lifelong learning

Public opinion programme of PSB survey, HKU in March 2006

Over 92% educational programme are essential

3. New programming opportunities

Fostering social harmony & promoting pluralism

Public opinion programme of PSB survey, HKU in March 2006

85% should have diversified informative programme -

3. New programming opportunities

Stimulating creativity and excellence to enrich the multi-cultural life of HK people

Centre of communication rerearch, CUHK in Oct 2005 & Public opinion programme of PSB survey, HKU in March 2006

80% & over 73% should have a impartial platform to monitor, observe and criticize government from public discussion respectively

Community Broadcasting Involvement Fund to allow community groups to participate in broadcasting and contents production

Conclusion

The New RTHK

A real public service broadcaster?

A government department masquerading as a PSB?

Neither a government mouthpiece nor a convincing independent voice.

1. Corporate governance

Will RTHK become a government mouthpiece?

Exert political pressure and interference

Uphold all government actions

An end to programmes looking at sensitive political issues

Become the government’s official radio station

Recommendation 1

Board of Advisors Advisory, no executive power The Director of Broadcasting holds the

final say on programme contents Composed of sufficient distinctive

representatives of different categories Monthly meetings to review the

corporate policy and operation provide feedbacks and raise concerns in

timely manner

2. Protection of Editorial independence and freedom

Can editorial independence and freedom be protected by a charter?

Bureaucratic procedures of government department Not applicable to the operation of a

media organization. Appearance of an independent

station But say nice things about the

government, like CCTV. Staff want an independent public

service broadcaster But they are on civil service terms.

Recommendation 2

Reinforce regulatory framework By establishing legislation and legal

documents

Examples:1. Germany

Association of the Public Broadcasting Corporations of Germany (ARD)

The Second German Television (ZDF)

2. Canada Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

(CBC)

1. ARD and ZDF of the Germany

Article 5 in the Basic Law of the German Constitution.

Ensure that the media are free from interference

The state may not prescribe any of the actual programme content

Corporation television programmes are mainly "full programmes"

2. CBC of the Canada

1991 Broadcasting Act Originally established in 1968 , amended in 1991 Reinforce economic, political and social

composition in Canada 3 sections

Broadcasting policy Regulatory powers Operating procedures and policies

Meet cultural and broadcasting policy objectives, the national interest and regional needs.

Authority conferred by Parliament upon its Board of Directors.

3. New programming opportunities

Establishing education & promoting lifelong learning Promoting pluralism Stimulating creativity and excellence to enrich the multi-cultural life of HK people

3. New programming opportunities

Establishing education & promoting lifelong learning

HOW ?

3. New programming opportunities

After Hand-over

ONE country TWO system

Basic Law

3. New programming opportunities

Civil Education

3. New programming opportunities

Promoting Pluralism

Reject

Support

3. New programming opportunities

Promoting pluralism

HOW

3. New programming opportunities

Stimulating creativity and excellence to enrich the multi-cultural life of HK people

4. Period of Public consultation (From 22 Sep to 4 Dec 2009)

Government

2 months

ENOUGH ??

Air Quality Objectives Review4 months(23Jul-30Nov)

4. Period of Public consultation

Anti-smoking legislation

3 months

Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme3 months

Conclusion

Q & A

THANK YOU