Communications Authority press release
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The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 78th meeting held in August 2018:
Non-compliance with reporting requirement on changes of directors by Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific Limited and Greenroll Limited
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The CA decided that Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific Limited (FNGAP), a non-domestic television programme service licensee, and Greenroll Limited, an other licensable television programme service licensee, had contravened section 39(3) of the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) by failing to report to the CA changes of their directors within seven days of the changes. The delays in reporting by FNGAP and Greenroll were more than 330 and 270 days respectively. Taking into account the licensees' representations and the duration and severity of the breaches, the CA decided that FNGAP and Greenroll should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision.
Non-compliance with reporting requirement on changes of addresses of registered offices by Ricobem Limited and Gala Hotels Limited
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The CA decided that Ricobem Limited and Gala Hotels Limited, both being other licensable television programme service licensees, had breached Condition 5 of their licences by failing to promptly notify the CA of changes of the addresses of their registered offices. The time lapse between the effective date of the changes of addresses and the notifications of Ricobem and Gala Hotels to the CA were four years and four years and two months respectively. Taking into account the licensees' representations and the duration and severity of the breaches, the CA decided that Ricobem and Gala Hotels should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provision.
Broadcast complaints
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The CA considered two complaint cases in respect of the broadcasters' non-compliance with the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards (TV Programme Code) and the Generic Code of Practice on Television Advertising Standards (TV Advertising Code):
(a) Complaints against the television programmes "News Roundup" and "Late News" broadcast on February 17, 2018, on the Jade Channel and the News Channel of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) respectively. The CA decided that TVB should be warned to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code; and
(b) A complaint against the television programme "Change The World" broadcast on January 30, 2018, on the TV 33 Channel of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). The CA decided that RTHK should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provision in the TV Advertising Code.
Details of the above cases are at www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_713/appx_20180828_en.pdf.
Ends/Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:02
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