TV decision guided by public interest

October 21, 2013

The Chief Executive in Council has processed free television licence applications fairly and impartially in accordance with statutory requirements and established procedures, and guided by public interest.
 
The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau emphasised today the recent television licence decision was to introduce more competition while also minimising any possible adverse impact brought about by over-competition.
 
This is to ensure the healthy and orderly development of the market and to protect public interest. The decision does not serve to protect the interest of existing licensees and does not involve any political consideration, it added.
 
Under the gradual and orderly approach, the council has considered four assessment criteria, including financial capability, programming investment, programming strategy and capability, and technical soundness of the proposed service.
 
All representations from the interested parties, public views and public interest have also been considered.
 
The Government has recently explained the assessment criteria and the reasoning, and has carefully considered all views from different parties before making a decision in accordance with established procedures. The requirement of procedural fairness was strictly adhered to.
 
The bureau said under the established system of confidentiality, the deliberation of the Executive Council meetings is not made public, and called for the community's understanding.
 
The details involve commercially sensitive information or even commercial secrets of the three applicants, disclosure of which may cause damage to them and may even give rise to legal disputes.