Decision not to renew ATV licence wins government rare praise

After months of apparent dithering, the government's announcement yesterday that it would not renew ATV's licence appears to have staved off a crisis and earned it much-needed points with the public.

The move was cheered by parties from across the political spectrum, in a rare show of all-round support for an administration that has laboured under repeated criticism for many of its policies.

But the feel-good factor over the ATV issue is not likely to translate to support for other measures, say analysts.

The government is in the midst of preparing its political reform proposals to be tabled before the Legislative Council by the summer.

Yesterday, hailing the ATV decision, Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, honorary chairwoman of the Liberal Party who worked in the television industry before entering politics, described the Executive Council's decision as fair and correct.

Even the Democrats, often fierce critics of government policy, said they agreed with the decision, with lawmaker Sin Chung-kai urging the government to invite companies to make a bid to take the free-to-air TV licence.

Broadcasting rights - and by implication the alleged political leanings of the stations - first became a political issue in 2013, when tens of thousands staged a week-long protest at government headquarters against its decision to deny an application by Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV) for a free-to-air licence.