Honestly, this whole issue is freakin' ridiculous (pardon my language) -- during this critical time when the HK entertainment industry is already dying a slow and painful death (plus HK society as a whole is in chaos -- politically, socially, economically, etc.), all we need is for the imbecilic HK government to come along and push the industry (as well as society) over the edge.
Oh and seeing that we are living in the 21st century -- an era where technology is super advanced and 'gadgets' such as mobile devices are a common necessity rather than a luxury -- it's downright embarrassing to see that the mindsets of our government leaders seem to still be 'stuck' back in the 19th/20th centuries (limiting broadcasting to 5000 households? outdated laws? restricting transmission to less advanced methods? viewers having to reach a deal with TV stations to watch free television???). Geez, if I were a taxpaying TV entertainer in HK, I would be pissed that I'm paying such incompetent dogs to 'break' the TV industry and take my own 'rice bowl' away!
Ok, I should probably shut up now before I get myself in trouble....enough ranting from me for today!
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HKTV row: Lawmakers poke at government vision on broadcasting laws
Source: SCMP
Does the government have its "eyes wide shut" over television broadcasting laws?
That was the question posed to Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So Kam-leung in a fiery Legislative Council debate yesterday as a lawmaker played on the title of late director Stanley Kubrick's last film.
Legislators suggested the government had erred in its assessment by not updating broadcasting laws when formulating policies for the development of mobile television.
So rejected the claims, saying the decision not to regulate on-the-go television services under the Broadcasting Ordinance was reached after a series of public consultations in 2007 and 2008.
"It was not a misjudgment," he told the Legco panel on information technology and broadcasting. "It was done with eyes open … There was a consensus [about not amending the law]."
He said the policy on mobile television adopted a technology-neutral principle. As long as the operator complied with legislation, it would not be restricted on the type of transmission to use.
Lawmakers disagreed, saying the latest rows revolving around Hong Kong Television Network stemmed from outdated laws.
"Eyes wide open? I would rather say Stanley Kubrick's movie title suits the government more - Eyes Wide Shut," Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said.
Charles Mok, representing the information technology sector, said it was unreasonable to judge if tycoon Ricky Wong Wai-kay's HKTV had breached any laws by looking at how advanced televisions on the market were.
The Communications Authority has explained Wong is free to use any transmission standard as long as fewer than 5,000 households can watch HKTV on televisions at home.
Mok was shocked when So remarked: "Charles works in the IT industry. But it seems he does not understand technology well."
The authority's chairman, Ambrose Ho Pui-him, said they were not discriminating against HKTV. Although TVB and ATV signals could be picked up outdoors, the stations would be seen as running mobile services only if they invited viewers to reach an agreement with them, he said.
Wong said viewers would never need to reach a deal with stations to watch free television.
HK government still living in Ice Age! Even China tv stations management contracts but rather production houses! So why can't HK do the same? They are so behind compared to other places it's just sad. Until HKTV starts releasing Cantonese series where I can watch online I'll just focus on watching some American shows. TVB's dramas are so bad that I've totally given up on them.
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