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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 the new application for domestic free television programme service (free TV) licence at the Legislative Council Complex today (April 22):
Reporter: Is there any hard cap or upper limit for the number of free TV licence holders that can exist in Hong Kong?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: We have always said that we have an open policy in terms of provision of free TV services. Again, the sustainability of the market in terms of healthy growth of the whole market is also very important. The overall interest of Hong Kong people and the audience will be considered in the application. To answer your question referring to upper limit, no, there isn't any upper limit. It's really according to the situation where when these applications are filed (they) will be processed accordingly.
Reporter: At this stage, is there any indication whether Forever Top or HKTV can be at the upper hand of getting a (free TV) licence?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I would not comment on the individual merits of the case. This is being handled by the Communications Authority which is an independent statutory body. So they would have to process this so far on these two applications, particularly the new application that has just been filed on the 15th of April. I would not want to comment on that case or any other case being handled by the Communications Authority. In fact, I think once the processing by the Communications Authority is completed by way of submission of the recommendation to the Chief Executive in Council, that would be the next step. Until then, rest assured that the Communications Authority would handle these applications appropriately.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:57
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