Broadcasting Authority seeks views on Radio Codes of Practice
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The following is issued on behalf of the Broadcasting Authority:

     The Broadcasting Authority (BA) invites public views on its proposed Radio Codes of Practice relating to standards of ancillary visual service (AVS) to be provided in conjunction with the digital audio broadcasting (DAB) service, currently expected to be launched later this year.

     The Government announced in November 2010 that the Chief Executive in Council had approved in principle applications from Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong Limited (formerly known as Wave Media Limited), Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited and Phoenix U Radio Limited for 12-year sound broadcasting licences to provide DAB services in Hong Kong.

     In addition to the broadcasting of audio programmes, DAB technology can support the display of a variety of AVS on the screen of a compatible DAB receiver for viewing by the audience.  The AVS of a DAB service includes electronic programme guides, visual images including text, pictures, and advertising materials.  Typical examples of AVS are song names, lyrics, photos of singers, news and weather information.

     In view of the visual nature of AVS, the BA needs to issue a new set of Radio Codes of Practice to secure proper standards of AVS, including advertising materials.  As the regulatory approach of DAB services including AVS is in line with that applicable to the existing analogue sound broadcasting services, the proposed Codes have been prepared with reference to the Radio Codes of Practice for existing analogue sound broadcasting services with necessary modifications.

     Details of the consultation and the proposed Codes are available at the BA's website (www.hkba.hk/en/doc/consultation_march_2011_e.pdf).

     All views and comments on the proposed Codes should be sent in writing to the BA Secretariat by March 24 by one of the following means:

By post:
Broadcasting Authority Secretariat
39/F, Revenue Tower,
5 Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
(Attn: Content Regulation Section 1 ¡V Consultation on Proposed Codes)

By fax: 2507 2219 (Attn: Content Regulation Section 1 ¡V Consultation on Proposed Codes)

By email: cr@tela.gov.hk

     For enquiries, please email cr@tela.gov.hk or call the Content Regulation Section 1 at 2594 5723 or 2594 5751.

Ends/Thursday, March 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:58

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