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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at a media session on Asia Television Limited (ATV) at the Legislative Council Complex today (February 11):
Reporter: (About ATV's non-payment of licence fees and change of shareholding.)
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: First question is what will happen should there be a non-payment situation on the February 18 as well as March 18 payment dates, on which ATV has to pay (the licence fees) according to the instructions of the Communications Authority. I think the Chairman of the Communications Authority has indicated very clearly that if on any of these dates ATV fails to make payment, they would start the necessary procedures including considering revocation of the licence. And you asked me to comment on some proposals today about each ordinary citizen paying $10,000 for a share of ATV. I'd like to say that any changes in the shareholding of a (free TV) licensee must be approved by the Communications Authority. Up to this moment, no application for changes (of shareholding) have been made by ATV to the Communications Authority. I do not want to speculate on these initiatives. But obviously all these initiatives or proposals have to comply with the law, including the Broadcasting Ordinance and any applicable laws of Hong Kong. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:06
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