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Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at a media session after attending the 12th Consumer Rights Reporting Awards prize presentation luncheon cum Barrier Free Website launching ceremony today (July 9):
Reporter: Secretary, do you think it is an embarrassment for Hong Kong when the International Olympic Committee has stepped in over the broadcast?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: The broadcasting of major sports event is a commercial issue and it involves a lot of commercial consideration of which the Government does not have a role to interfere with. We should not interfere with commercial decisions. However, it is incumbent on me to convey the wish of the people of Hong Kong that they should be able to watch the Olympic Games in free TV platform, and this I have impressed upon the management of the three TV stations. I believe that the message has been conveyed very clearly. I trust that if we are pragmatic in the way to approach in solving the problem, I am hopeful that the people of Hong Kong will be able to watch the Olympic Games through free TV platform.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, July 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:20
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