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The following is issued on behalf of The Office of the Telecommunications Authority:
The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has today (January 10) conducted an investigation into suspected use of unlicensed radio transmitter equipment by Citizens' Radio following unlicensed radio transmission detected at 102.8 MHz.
The radio transmission mainly relayed the voice contents of the open forum held by Citizens' Radio at Mong Kok tonight.
"As a result of the Magistrate's decision on January 8, 2008 to suspend his ruling regarding the constitutionality of the licensing regime and pending the outcome of the appeal, all unauthorised or unlicensed broadcasting activities remain a criminal offence. Anyone who carries out or participates in such activities may be liable to prosecution," a spokesperson of OFTA warned.
"An injunction has been granted by the High Court in the afternoon today to stop Citizens' Radio's unlicensed broadcasting activities. Any implicated persons violating the injunction will constitute contempt of court. Anyone assisting the implicated persons in violating the injunction, including participating in illegal broadcasting, may also constitute contempt of court," the spokesperson added.
"OFTA would moreover prosecute the offenders under the Telecommunications Ordinance if there is sufficient evidence," the spokesperson said.
Unlicensed radio transmitters would cause harmful interference to other legitimate spectrum users. For breach of section 8 of the TO, the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and five years' imprisonment upon conviction. For breach of section 23 of the TO, the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $50,000.
Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:16
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