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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at a media session today (September 22) on the way forward for public service broadcasting and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK):
We have just announced the way forward for public service broadcasting and for RTHK.
RTHK will continue to provide public service broadcasting as a government department. This is good for the general public, for RTHK and for her staff.
Members of the public will be able to enjoy services of higher quality and greater diversity from RTHK. The station will be tasked to launch digital TV and radio services, promote community participation in broadcasting, and provide multi-cultural programmes and national broadcasting.
RTHK will be given new opportunities and resources to expand into new areas of services, thus strengthening its role as the public service broadcaster of Hong Kong.
For the RTHK staff, the new arrangement would mean greater job certainty, confirmation of editorial independence and an improved production environment. These would help them better serve the public.
With its 80 years of services, RTHK occupies a special place in the hearts of many people in Hong Kong. I believe many of us would want to see RTHK continue to take on the role of public service broadcaster, and provide better services with higher standards of operation. The way forward points exactly to this destination, and we would welcome public views on this during the consultation exercise. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:51
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