Watchdog urged to be transparent over ATV and TVB licence renewal
Lawmakers urge watchdog to set clear criteria for controversial free-to-air broadcasters - and push for them to be kicked off air if they fail
Lawmakers have criticised as "opaque" and "unclear" the yardsticks set by the broadcasting watchdog for the renewal of ATV and TVB's broadcasting licences next year.
Members of the Legislative Council's panel on broadcasting urged the Communications Authority to instead set clear criteria - and to recommend the government refuse a new licence if either of the free-to-air stations fails to make the grade.
Both stations have attracted controversy. TVB has been accused of taking advantage of its dominant position in the market, while cash-strapped ATV has frequently fallen foul of the watchdog - often due to allegations of interference by its mainland investor, Wong Ching. Both - but especially ATV - have faced complaints of pro-Beijing bias.
The authority was seeking lawmakers' views on the licence renewal process, which is also subject to a two-month public consultation, ending on April 3.
Its chairman, Ambrose Ho Pui-him, told the panel it would take into account the track records of the licence holders, their financial strength and public opinion before making a recommendation to the chief executive.
"We shall assess the three factors individually and then come up with an overall assessment," Ho said.
But People Power lawmaker Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, once an ATV presenter, said: "An overall assessment can be very subjective. We need a more transparent system."