Ruling sparks calls for review of ordinance and open airwaves

The government should review the Telecommunications Ordinance and open up the public airwaves, as it has unreasonably restricted freedom of speech, pan-democrats and human rights activists said yesterday.

Local Falun Gong practitioners said they would consider whether to make better use of the public airwaves, despite warnings by a leading pro-government political party that allowing more radio broadcasters would 'bring chaos'.

In its judgment, the Eastern Court ruled that the licensing regime - which ultimately decides who can conduct public radio broadcasts - was unconstitutional, as the application process was unclear and discretionary power was concentrated at the chief executive in council.

Democratic Party legislator Sin Chung-kai, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council information technology panel, said there was a need for change in the legislation, which controlled radio broadcast licensing.

Fellow Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun said he would move a motion debate in Legco on January 23 calling for amending the Telecommunications Ordinance and Broadcasting Ordinance to open public airwaves.

University of Hong Kong assistant law professor Eric Cheung Tat-ming agreed a review of the ordinance was needed to reflect modern standards.