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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) last night (August 12) mounted an enforcement operation against the Citizens' Radio, which is suspected of using unlicensed radio transmitter for broadcasting.
"Under the authority of a court warrant, OFTA officers entered premises in Chai Wan and seized one radio transmitter set. During the operation, two persons were requested to assist further investigations,ˇ¨ a spokesperson of OFTA said.
"It is unlawful for any person to establish or maintain any means of telecommunications without an appropriate licence under the Telecommunications Ordinance (TO). Any person who engages in such illegal activity would contravene section 8(1) of the TO and is liable to prosecution. The offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and five yearsˇ¦ imprisonment upon conviction. The judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal on 12 December 2008 upheld that the relevant offence provisions under the TO are constitutional," the spokesperson said.
"Those who knowingly participate in the delivery of messages through unlicensed radio transmitters may also commit a criminal offence under section 23 of the TO. The offender is liable to a maximum penalty of $50,000," the spokesperson added.
"Illegal radio broadcasting is liable to cause harmful interference to other legitimate service providers and users. OFTA would continue to enforce the law to ensure proper management of radio spectrum, which is a valuable public resource," the spokesperson emphasized.
Ends/Thursday, August 13, 2009
Issued at HKT 00:00
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