Public Service Broadcasting The Case For Independence: A Hong Kong Perspective

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Public Service BroadcastingThe Case For
Independence A Hong Kong Perspective
CHU Pui-hing Director of Broadcasting 11th Sept
2006
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Radio Television Hong Kong
Overview

• Government Department
• Freedom of expression
• Ranked as most trusted media in Hong Kong

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Public vs. Government accountability in Hong Kong

• Should a public broadcaster serve the interests
  of the government ?
• OR
• Should a Public Broadcaster serve the public ?

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PSB Review in Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong government launched a review on
  public service broadcasting in 2006
• There is consensus among those consulted
• on the value of, and justification for,
  public service broadcasting in Hong Kong
• a PSB should contribute to pluralism in opinion
  and creative expression

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PSB Review in Hong Kong

• PSB should cater to the entire community,
  including minority interests, through
  comprehensive programming
• PSB should complement and supplement commercial
  broadcasting
• A PSB should serve as a watchdog over government

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PSB Review in Hong Kong

• Consensus appears to be emerging in the community
  that a PSB is needed in Hong Kong
• The majoritys view of the community supports the
  case for independent public service broadcasting

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Fundamental Concerns of Independency

• Governance
• Funding
• Accountability

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Governance Framework

• A Charter in form of legislation to define the
  mission and set out obligations towards the Hong
  Kong community
• To guarantee editorial independence

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Board of Governors

• Wide representation, comprising members from
  sectors like education, the arts and academia
• Board members should be appointed through a
  process of nomination or election held amongst
  community groups

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Finance Arrangment

• Funding should be stable, predictable and
  sustainable
• longer funding cycle, e.g. three to five years
• Alternative sources to a government grant such as
  sponsorship, donations or revenue from sales of
  programs and products

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Accountablity

• Periodic reports to the public
• Produce high-quality programmes while using
  public funds in an efficient effective manner

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Thank You