Letters | Why it was fair to let Hong Kong TV channels pull RTHK shows

In the internet era, television channels should not be forced to duplicate the content of other broadcasters

Television Broadcasts (TVB)

Letters

Published: 7:50am, 15 Mar 2020

Why you can trust SCMP

I am writing in response to the letter from Kimi Wong, titled “Hong Kong TV drama: why it’s unfair to let TVB take RTHK shows off the air” (March 7). She argued that the government ignored the original licence agreement and did not consult RTHK before it made its decision. I don’t completely agree with her.

It is undeniable that TVB and ViuTV, which hold free-to-air licences, bear a responsibility to serve the public interest. However, it is not necessary for them to broadcast RTHK’s programmes because, as stated in the requirements of free-to-air licences, “the Communications Authority may direct a licensee to include in its service such television programmes and other material in the public interest provided by the government.”

Thus, the Communications Authority has the power to decide whether the free-to-air licensees have to broadcast any government programmes at all. Besides, RTHK also has three television channels which cover 99 per cent of Hong Kong’s population. Therefore, it is absolutely lawful for the government to do away with the outdated requirement which has hindered the commercial development of free-to-air licensees for decades.

Did the government consult RTHK before taking this action? I agree with Ms Wong that “it’s important to listen to RTHK’s take on the issue.” But RTHK had “no objection to the request”, according to the government statement. Obviously, a consultation took place before the decision was really launched.

When everyone can access the internet for information nowadays, if the government forces commercial broadcasting companies to sacrifice prime time to ineffectively repeat shows from RTHK, it would be unfair to them.

Nicolas Lin, Tsing Yi

Ban on Uber a blot on Hong Kong’s free market

I echo Estyn Chung’s call for the Hong Kong government to immediately introduce a proper regulatory framework for Uber and other ride-sharing services,to place those businesses on a sound legal footing (“Help Uber help Hong Kong: why regulators need to remove roadblocks for ride-sharing app”, March 11).

How can the government justify its continued subservience to the self-serving and monopolistic taxi cartel, in light of its obligations under Articles 118 and 119 of the Basic Law to “provide an economic and legal environment for encouraging investments, technological progress and the development of new industries” and to “promote and coordinate the development of various trades”, including transport?

How can we be “Asia’s World City” – with constitutional protection of our free port and free trade status – if there is no freedom of internal trade within Hong Kong itself?

Nicholas Tam, Sai Ying Pun

Hong Kong’s dire roads: where are our tax dollars going?

I refer to the letter of March 4 (“Put construction crews to work on road repairs”) from Mr Simon Constantinides, who accurately described the diabolical state of the roads and motorways in Hong Kong.

I agree that the roads in Hong Kong are a disgrace; the government should be ashamed of itself. As frequent travellers to Thailand, Singapore and other parts of Asia, we often remark on how good the roads are there. If they can do it, why can’t we?

I strongly recommend that Mr Jimmy Chan Pai-ming, director of Highways, take a ride from Tung Chung to Cheung Sha and back again. I do this journey daily and every time I hit yet another manhole cover, I wonder what it’s doing to my car and where our tax dollars are going.

South Lantau Road is a particular embarrassment, especially given the number of tourists going to see the Buddha and then on to Tai O. All of which raises the question: why so much concrete? Whatever happened to good old-fashioned tarmac?

This appears to be yet another example of government neglect and incompetence, and I challenge the government of “Asia’s World City” to do something about it. Perhaps we should all start sending our vehicle repair bills to the Highways Department?

Andrew Ferguson, Lantau

Post