ATV and TVB would like to reduce the number of English-language programmes they air. I would like to propose a solution that would satisfy the English-speaking population, relieve TVB Pearl of the burden of incurring another 34 years of losses, while also enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international business hub. Why not reallocate English-language broadcast licences to RTHK to provide a free-to-air public broadcast service along the lines of the BBC in the UK or ABC in Australia? Good quality news and current affairs programmes such as The Pearl Report could still be commissioned from the Hong Kong commercial broadcasters, while the best of English-language drama, comedy and current affairs could be purchased from the international market. We would be spared the diet of horse racing the commercial broadcasters currently show to satisfy their English-language broadcast obligations. Some might believe that viewers could be exposed to undue government influence over what we watch. However, as many expatriates cannot vote in Hong Kong, there would not appear to be much reason for the Government to politicise this RTHK TV channel. Raising the quality of English-language programming may cost money. However, as most expatriates do not make any claim on the Government's health, education or social welfare budgets, channelling some tax dollars in the direction of better quality television seems a fair return to this minority community. DAVID MATTHEWS Shouson Hill
