Pro-Beijing legislators have demanded officials explain why it was necessary to amend the Telecommunication Ordinance to revoke the Broadcasting Authority's power over radio licence holders.
At a Legco bills committee meeting yesterday, legislator and Preparatory Committee member Ambrose Lau Hon-chuen asked why the Government needed such a bill.
'Why should such powers be abolished? Is the Government trying to help make laws for the Special Administrative Region government and control the SAR's ruling power?' Mr Lau asked.
Acting principal assistant secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Eliza Yau Kwai-chong argued that public interest could be safeguarded by a provision in the Broadcasting Ordinance.
At the centre of the row is one section of the Telecommunication Ordinance which allows the Broadcasting Authority to stop a licensee from broadcasting a programme.
The Economic Services Branch submitted: 'This power has been criticised as excessive and could be used in an arbitrary fashion.
