Title: What is this
1What is this?
2A Post Card ?
3Broadcasting Receiving License 1953
4Radio Broadcaster in 1948
5Live Radio Drama 1948
6Guglielmo Marconi
- 12 Dec 1901
- Invented Radio Telephony
7Marconi 1901
- Have I done the world good or have I added a
menace ?
8British Response
- Wireless Telegraphy Act 1904
- Wireless telegraphy under States tight control
- 1914-18 First World War
- Wireless telegraphy for military use
9British Response
Reasons to control Broadcasting 1922
10British Response
- Arguments
- Against foreign propaganda
- (Let amateurs hear English music rather than
Dutch only)
11British Response
- 1923
- British Broadcasting Company to provide
centralized radio programming to promote sales of
wireless equipment. John Reith was appointed
General Manager. - 1923
- British Govt set up the Sykes Committee to
consider finance, organization and control of
broadcasting -
12John Reiths PSB Statement
- For the whole population
- To entertain, educate and to inform
- Monopolized
- Sufficiently funded
- Supporting the Government
13British Response
- 1927
- British Broadcasting Company received a Royal
Charter and became the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC)
14Broadcasting History in Hong Kong
- The Record of First Broadcasting in Hong Kong
- This is ZBW Hong Kong, broadcasting on 355
metres, 845 kilocycles in the medium wave band.
Here is the news for today, Friday the 30th of
June 1928. In America, the severe economic
depression continues and the federal government
is proposing far reaching projects to combat the
recession in industry and trade.1928-The First
Year, RTHK-50 Years Broadcasting in Hong Kong
from 1928-1978
15Mistakes were found after extensive research
- June 30 1928 was not Friday, it was Saturday
- The Call sign on June 30, 1928 was GOW, not ZBW
- GOW was broadcasting on 300 metres, not 355
metres - The severe economic depression in United States
was happening right after the collapse of the
market share price on Oct 29, 1929
16The facts are
- June 30, 1928 was a program test done by private
citizen in a hotel room. They borrowed the call
sign GOW, used by Post Office - Oct 8 1928, govt built Studio in use inside the
Post Office - Feb 1, 1929, call sign changed to ZBW
- Oct 8 1929, official launch of a govt radio
station
17GOW or ZBW ?
- Official Broadcasting
- -Oct 8, 1929
- Broadcasting on trial
- -Oct 8, 1928
- No Evidence on
- -June 30, 1928
- NOT a Big Deal
18What did we learn from these mistakes?
- Official documents carry mistakes.
- Detail statements do not equivalent to authority
- Cross-check was essential all the time.
- Personal memory is not reliable, oral history
approach could not answer all the questions, nor
could it provide the true picture of what was
happening.
19Government Policy on RTHK
- 1929
- Acting Governor Mr W.T.Southorn government was
opening the studio because it seemed that no
commercial undertaking was preparing to do so.
He hoped the radio station would grow to the
extent that its programmes would consist of
something better than a few hours of gramophone
record.
20Government Policy on RTHK
- 1929 Acting Governor Mr W.T.Southorn
government was opening the studio because it
seemed that no commercial undertaking was
preparing to do so. He hoped the radio station
would grow to the extent that its programmes
would consist of something better than a few
hours of gramophone record.
21Financial reason?
- January 1939, due to technical financial
arrangement, Government proposed formally listed
Broadcasting Committee into Post-Master
Generals estimates to prevent the argument with
the Committee on provision
221950 aim of broadcasting
- During the Korea War time, one of the aims of
broadcasting was - To infiltrate into Mainland with British culture
and news. ZBWs signal could reach Guangzhou,
Shanghai, Beijing and Tiensin
23- 1950, due to the situation in Korea, Government
considered to pass the administrative authority
from Post-Master General to Public Relations
Office, Information Dept in charge of publicity
work
24- March 1951, Deputy Chief Secretary K.M.A.Barnett
dissolved HK Broadcast Advisory Committee for
the current political situation. To merge with
Public Relations Office was a logical decision.
Post-Master General called the last meeting on
March 6, 1951 and dissolved the Committee at
once.
25- 1954, a year after Korea War, Asia region back to
stable. RHK no longer affiliated to Post-Master
General and became an independent dept
26- 1955, Governor Grantham proposed to upgrade RHKs
competitiveness to eliminate the influence of
outside broadcast. He further recommended to
sell RHK to commercial enterprises.
27Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1955
- Alan Lennox-Boyd, the Secretary of State for the
Colonies, advised to Grantham that for political
reasons alone, RHK should remain a public sector
broadcaster to allow the government to exercise
complete control over broadcasting policy and the
contents of broadcasting programmes.
281956 Whitepaper The Future of Broadcasting in
Hong Kong
- To fight for more audience, Government proposed a
which proposed - -Extended broadcast time of Chinese Channel
- -Improved transmission capacity
- -Promised to consider PSB option for RHK once its
service raised to a certain levels - -Promised to look for other PSB experience
29Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1956
- White PaperThe future of Broadcasting in Hong
Kong .looking to the future, it may well be
that the best course in the long run will be to
transfer the station to the control of a public
corporation which will combine the advantages of
independent management with a responsibility to
the public for the provision of balanced
programmes of a reasonable standard without the
need to show a profit to shareholders.
30Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1956 The Future of Broadcasting in Hong
Kong - Results
- -Extension of Chinese Program
- -New Transmission Towers
31A Secret Agenda
- 1956, BBC Senior Program Assistant (divisional
director)Donald Brooks was appointed as Director
of Broadcasting to implement policy and strategy
for a corporate RHK.
32TV Working Party
- 1960, in view of the technical availability of
TV wireless, Government appointed a cross-depts
TV Working Party in Sept to study if a wireless
TV license should be issued - Donald Brooks, D of B was chairman and
members included Post-General Master and Director
of Information
33- January 1962, TV Working Party submitted report
to Government - -that Wireless TV would have a great impact to
society - -that proper monitor was essential
- -to achieve that aim, working Party recommended
34- 1. To form a Corporation, including RHK and
commercial TV and Radios, a commercial institute
responsible for daily operation - 2. Revenue from license fee and advertising
- 3. The commercial institute included British
interests, eg Rediffusion and Commercial Radio
35- Advisors in Chief Secretariat did not accept the
report. They argued that wireless TV does not
have such great influence, it could be a pressure
to Reduffusion - Government against to corporate RHK for fear of
finance burden - No precedent to run such corporate TV
- Did not give up the idea of a corporate TV
36- 1960 Working Party on TV Broadcasting
- Results
- -No go for RHK to be Public Broadcaster
- -Issue commercial TV wireless license
37- 1964.7.2- D of B Confidential Memo to Colonial
Secretary- - There is evidence that some listeners who find
Radio Hong Kongs Chinese Service too popular
for their tastes are turning to an increasing
extent to Radio Peking, the evidence indicates
that the reasons for this are intellectual,
rather than political..
38- .I consider that this situation must be
remedied, and that means must be found to
introduce a new Chinese broadcasting concept, a
service which will fulfil the needs of these
sections of the Chinese population which at
present are not being satisfied.
39- 1969
- Governor David Trench .We have a pattern of
broadcasting in Hong Kong in which Government and
commercial enterprise operate side by side and
our aim in establishing this dual system was to
develop radio and television stations which
would, as far as possible, be complementary to
one another rather than competitive
40- 23 Dec 1970, Governor Trench appointed a working
group to consider TVBs re-license and an
additional TV license - Chairman was J.W.D.Hobley from Justice Dept,
Director of Broadcasting Brooks was member - Working Group held 42 meetings, have fierce
debates over PSB
41A Fight among Govt Depts
- -For PSB Donald Brooks, D of B
- -Against PSB Nigel Watt, D of I
42- Pros
- -air wave was limited resources and government
should maximized for public interest - -revenue should be for the public, not for the
share-holders - -TVB did not fulfill licenses conditions
43- -if RHK has not been granted right to operate a
Corporate TV, its staff moral would be hurt
44- Cons Watt argues
- -that TVB works closely with Government
- -In the past five years, TV wireless signal
covered 96 of territory - -TVB operated successfully, and its program was
well received by the public - -that HK did not need a PSB
45- During 1967 riots, all commercial broadcasters
supported governments policy - In an undelivered letter from D of I to D of B,
Watt severely criticized D of B that commercial
broadcasters were partners of Government - Watts view was predominant inside government
house. Governor Trench echoed Watts views in
public address.
46- Because of the success of TVB
- And because of the strong argument put forward by
Watt, Brooks PSB idea was vetoed - PSB proposal involved unstable factors and huge
investment - Working Party recommended to issue additional TV
license and TVB got re-license
47- 1971 Working Party on the Future of
Broadcasting - Results
- -No go for RHK to be Public Broadcaster
- -Issue another wireless TV license
- -TVB granted re-license
- -Donald Brooks resigned
486 Dec 1983 Exco paper
- RTHKs main mission was to inform the public
about Governments policy and planning through
news, public affairs and information program - HK Stressed on Press Freedom, RTHK could not be a
propaganda tool for Government
49Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1985 Report of the Broadcasting Review Board
- Results
- -Granted RTHK as Public Broadcaster
- -Editorial independent from Govt
- -Finance support by Govt
50Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1989 Exco agreed to corporatize RTHK
- due to June Fourth Incident in Beijing
- 1992 Beijing opposed RTHK Corporate Plan
- 1994 HKG dropped the Plan
51Government Policy on Broadcasting
- Jan 2006 SAR Government appointed
- Committee on Review of PSB
- Terms of Reference
- To examine the role of, and justifications and
public purposes for, public service broadcasting
(PSB) in the development of Hong Kongs
broadcasting market, against the public financial
and other resources required for such
broadcasting. - To identify issues concerning public
accountability for PSB in matters of editorial
impartiality, programming policy and good
governance.
52Government Policy on Broadcasting
- To identify measures for the Administration to
evaluate the effectiveness of PSB and
arrangements through which the public can
participate in such a process. - To recommend, in the light of the above, an
appropriate arrangement for the provision of PSB
in Hong Kong. - To recommend implementation plans for the short,
medium and long terms.
53Government Policy on Broadcasting
- Popular thinking
- It is a timely review
- It is a plot against RTHK
- It is a political deal
- It is a compromise
- ..
54Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1985
- Broadcasting Review Board Report proposed the
role of RTHK as public broadcaster should be
strengthened, it should be financially
independent, have sufficient resources to provide
high quality programmes and be free from
governmental dominance.
55Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1989
- Exco agreed to corporatize RTHK to be established
before April 1, 1990 - 1991
- Exco agreed to corporatize RTHK again and
deadline for independent date set on April 1993
56Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1992
- Beijing rejected the plan
- 1993
- Framework agreement signed between RTHK and
Hongkong Government, officially giving editorial
autonomy to RTHK
57Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 1994
- Government shelved the Corporatization plan due
to unsuitable political climate. RTHK submitted
herself to be monitored by the Broadcasting
Authority - 1998 RTHK published Producers Guideline
58Government Policy on Broadcasting
- 2005
- Govt to form committee to study public
broadcasting system
59Government Policy on Broadcasting
- Questions
- Why Exco twice agreed RTHKs corporatization
plan? - Why Exco waited for four more years to
corporatize RTHK ? - Why Beijing opposed?
60To conclude
- Broadcasting was always under public control from
the first day of birth - Governments policy towards broadcasting shifted
from time to time - Liberalization of broadcasting control under
Reagans era in 1980s - Constant debate on publics role over broadcasting
61HK Broadcasting Scene
62Mechanism Governing Broadcasting Industry in HK
Commerce and Economic Bureau
Broadcasting Authority
63Mechanism Governing Broadcasting Industry in HK
Commerce Economic Development Bureau
Broadcasting Authority
OFTA
RTHK
TELA
TV Outside HK
ATV
CR
RTHK
Metro Radio
Pay TV
TVB
Non Local TV
64HK TV Scene
- Free TV and radio broadcasting have a high
household penetration of 99.6 and 95.2
respectively.
65Commercial Broadcasting
- Commercial broadcasting is a regulated business
in Hong Kong. Operators are licensed, and are
subject to the regulatory oversight of the
Broadcasting Authority (BA). The BA does not
preview or censor programmes. It issues generic
codes of practice for broadcast programme
services. The editorial responsibilities rest
with the licensees.
66TV Industry in HK
- Asia Television Limited (ATV), successor to the
original Rediffusion Television which began its
service in 1957, and Television Broadcasts
Limited (TVB) which went on air in 1967.
67Radio Industry in HK
- RTHK was the only source of radio programme
services from 1928 until the founding of Hong
Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited
(Commercial Radio) in 1959. Metro Broadcast
Corporation Limited (Metro Broadcast), the only
other commercial sound broadcaster, started
broadcasting in 1991.
68Broadcasting Authority
- The Broadcasting Authority (BA) is a statutory
body established in September 1987 under the
Broadcasting Authority Ordinance (Cap.391). Its
role is to control and regulate licensed
television and radio broadcasters in Hong Kong
through provisions in the Television Ordinance
(Cap.52), the Telecommunication Ordinance
(Cap.106) and the Broadcasting Authority
Ordinance (Cap.391)
69Broadcasting Authority
- Issue codes of practice on programme and
advertising standards relating to television
broadcasting - Issue codes of practice on programme and
advertising standards relating to sound
broadcasting - Issue codes of practice on the technical
requirements for television and sound
broadcasting licensees on the advice of the
Telecommunications Authority
70Broadcasting Authority
- Issue directions to licensees
- Sanction broadcasters for contravening the
various provisions and requirements - Conduct inquiries into such matters as may be
referred to it by the Chief Executive in Council
and to report the conclusions of such inquiries
to the Chief Executive in Council
71Codes of Practice-Program Standard
- 1. News
- News should be presented impartially and
accurately - Morbid, sensational, or alarming details not
essential to factual reporting should be avoided - No advertising matter should be offered as news
and - Correction of factual errors should be made as
soon as practicable
72Codes of Practice-Program Standard
- 2. Current affairs/documentaries
- These programmes should be impartial and
unbiased - 3. Childrens programmes
- 4. Family viewing hours
- Classification of programmes
73Codes of Practice-Program Standard
- Bad language
- The use of bad language must be defensible in
terms of context and broadcast time - Downright offensive expressions are prohibited
- Triad expressions should be avoided
74Codes of Practice-Program Standard
- Sex and nudity
- Violence
- Criminal and triad activities
- Adult channels
75Types of Licenses
- Commercial Television License
- Subscription Television License
- Sound Broadcasting License
- Non-exclusive Satellite Television Uplink and
Downlink License
76(No Transcript)
77What is PSB ?
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) aptly defines PSB
as broadcasting made, financed and controlled by
the public, for the public. It is neither
commercial nor state-owned, free from political
interference and pressure from commercial
forces.
78What is PSB ?
- The most commonly adopted defining features, or
principles, of PSB are universality, diversity,
independence and distinctiveness.
79PSB Review Committee
- Jan 17 2006 Government to appoint PSB Review
Committee - March 28 2007 Committee released the Report
80Public TV ?
- RTHK was the only source of radio programme
services from 1928 until the founding of Hong
Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited
(Commercial Radio) in 1959. Metro Broadcast
Corporation Limited (Metro Broadcast), the only
other commercial sound broadcaster, started
broadcasting in 1991.
81PSB Program
- In 2007-08, RTHK targets to provide 50,510 output
hours with its seven radio channels, 560 hours of
TV programmes, and 140 hours of educational
programmes for primary and secondary students.
82RTHK
- RTHK is funded by the Government from the General
Revenue. Its expenditure estimate for 2007-08 is
HK456.1 million.
83Commercial-PSB
- According to research conducted by the Committee,
in 2005, the PSB-like programme output by
commercial broadcasters8 was over 11,000 hours
for TV and over 6,650 hours for radio.
84RTHK-PSB Output
- In 2005-06, RTHK produced 557 hours of TV
productions, about 5 of the commercial PSB-like
TV programme output, and 30 of the total
statutory maximum limit of Government programmes
that the commercial broadcasters are required to
broadcast. Its radio programme output was 49,750
hours, or 7.5 times of PSB-like radio programmes
produced by commercial sound broadcasters.
85Radio Content
- 1920s
- Gramophones-records-news-weather-time
- 1940s-1960s
- Cantonese opera-drama-music-dialects
news-weather-time - 1960s-1980s
- Sitcom-drama-news-finance news-western/Cantonese
music-complaints - 1980s-present
- News- financial news-information-phone
in-entertainment-music
86TV Content
- 1950s
- Dialect opera-theatre drama-pop music-story
teller-school program-news - 1960s-70s
- Import wrestle TV-variety show-sitcom-drama-sports
-community service-school program-music-news - 1980s-present
- Entertainment-music-education-news