What is this

1
What is this?
2
A Post Card ?
3
Broadcasting Receiving License 1953
4
Radio Broadcaster in 1948
5
Live Radio Drama 1948
6
Guglielmo Marconi

• 12 Dec 1901
• Invented Radio Telephony

7
Marconi 1901

• Have I done the world good or have I added a
  menace ?

8
British Response

• Wireless Telegraphy Act 1904
• Wireless telegraphy under States tight control
• 1914-18 First World War
• Wireless telegraphy for military use

9
British Response
Reasons to control Broadcasting 1922
10
British Response

• Arguments
• Against foreign propaganda
• (Let amateurs hear English music rather than
  Dutch only)

11
British 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

12
John Reiths PSB Statement

• For the whole population
• To entertain, educate and to inform
• Monopolized
• Sufficiently funded
• Supporting the Government

13
British Response

• 1927
• British Broadcasting Company received a Royal
  Charter and became the British Broadcasting
  Corporation (BBC)

14
Broadcasting 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

15
Mistakes 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

16
The 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

17
GOW or ZBW ?

• Official Broadcasting
• -Oct 8, 1929
• Broadcasting on trial
• -Oct 8, 1928
• No Evidence on
• -June 30, 1928
• NOT a Big Deal

18
What 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.

19
Government 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.

20
Government 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.

21
Financial 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

22
1950 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.

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Government 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.

28
1956 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

29
Government 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.

30
Government Policy on Broadcasting

• 1956 The Future of Broadcasting in Hong
  Kong
• Results
• -Extension of Chinese Program
• -New Transmission Towers

31
A 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.

32
TV 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

41
A 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

48
6 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

49
Government Policy on Broadcasting

• 1985 Report of the Broadcasting Review Board
• Results
• -Granted RTHK as Public Broadcaster
• -Editorial independent from Govt
• -Finance support by Govt

50
Government 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

51
Government 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.

52
Government 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.

53
Government 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
• ..

54
Government 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.

55
Government 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

56
Government Policy on Broadcasting

• 1992
• Beijing rejected the plan
• 1993
• Framework agreement signed between RTHK and
  Hongkong Government, officially giving editorial
  autonomy to RTHK

57
Government 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

58
Government Policy on Broadcasting

• 2005
• Govt to form committee to study public
  broadcasting system

59
Government Policy on Broadcasting

• Questions
• Why Exco twice agreed RTHKs corporatization
  plan?
• Why Exco waited for four more years to
  corporatize RTHK ?
• Why Beijing opposed?

60
To 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

61
HK Broadcasting Scene
62
Mechanism Governing Broadcasting Industry in HK

• CE in Executive Council

Commerce and Economic Bureau
Broadcasting Authority
63
Mechanism 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
64
HK TV Scene

• Free TV and radio broadcasting have a high
  household penetration of 99.6 and 95.2
  respectively.

65
Commercial 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.

66
TV 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.

67
Radio 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.

68
Broadcasting 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)

69
Broadcasting 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

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Broadcasting 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

71
Codes 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

72
Codes 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

73
Codes 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

74
Codes of Practice-Program Standard

• Sex and nudity
• Violence
• Criminal and triad activities
• Adult channels

75
Types of Licenses

• Commercial Television License
• Subscription Television License
• Sound Broadcasting License
• Non-exclusive Satellite Television Uplink and
  Downlink License

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(No Transcript)
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What 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.

78
What is PSB ?

• The most commonly adopted defining features, or
  principles, of PSB are universality, diversity,
  independence and distinctiveness.

79
PSB Review Committee

• Jan 17 2006 Government to appoint PSB Review
  Committee
• March 28 2007 Committee released the Report

80
Public 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.

81
PSB 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.

82
RTHK

• RTHK is funded by the Government from the General
  Revenue. Its expenditure estimate for 2007-08 is
  HK456.1 million.

83
Commercial-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.

84
RTHK-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.

85
Radio 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

86
TV 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