Rebuke over ATV topless broadcast
A television news broadcast of two topless women playing darts will earn ATV a rebuke from the Broadcasting Authority today.
The television and radio watchdog decided yesterday to suggest the station be more careful in controlling material going to air, according to a source.
It would be issued today with 'advice' - the lowest of a range of sanctions including warnings and fines - on how to follow the code of practice more carefully.
The six-second clip of women wearing only bikini bottoms on an Australian beach in January was blamed on a saboteur.
While the authority's complaints committee had considered the broadcast a breach it believed the station had been a victim of foul play, said the source.
ATV has apologised, complained to police about the footage and suspended four staff members with pay.
Stunned viewers made 35 complaints.
The source said members of the committee who viewed the tape were 'quite shocked' it had appeared during the news.
News controller Leung Yu-shing said this week two of the staff members had returned to work.
The station had been unable to identify who had been responsible for the incident.
The staff's return to work had eased a lack of manpower.
