The Government plans to increase maximum fines and prison terms for offences under the Control of Obscene & Indecent Articles Ordinance, to deter online radio and television stations from broadcasting offensive content.
Replying to a lawmaker's question today, Acting Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Godfrey Leung said the Government has no plan to legislate online radio and television stations at this stage, but noted their content is regulated by Hong Kong laws - including the Control of Obscene & Indecent Articles Ordinance.
Enforcement of regulation would be difficult if operators upload content onto websites outside Hong Kong, and so-called Hong Kong online stations may not necessarily be produced in Hong Kong.
The Government will monitor overseas developments and review regulatory policy as and when appropriate.
In view of the vast volume of ever-changing information available on the Internet, the Government adopts a complaint-driven and co-regulatory approach to control obscene and indecent content on the Internet, Mr Leung said.
Fifteen complaints were received regarding online programme contents in the past five years, including one about a radio programme that contained indecent language and one for a TV programme with obscene content.
The Government will also step up publicity to promote new media’s positive and healthy use among young people, he added.
