HKTV row testifies to 'unconstitutional licensing regime', viewers tell court

Two television viewers criticised the government as an "unconstitutional licensing regime" for denying Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV) a free-to-air licence and failing to explain the decision, a court heard yesterday.

Kwok Cheuk-kin and Freeman Lam Hon-fei claimed the Chief Executive in Council's decision deprived them of their freedom of receiving information.

They asked the Court of First Instance for permission to challenge it in a judicial review.

Barrister Audrey Eu Yuet-mee SC, for the pair, said freedom of receiving information came with freedom of expression.

Both rights were protected under the Basic Law, she said.

"It is the cornerstone of every society, that we have the right of receiving information," Eu said. The pair's challenge was not limited to HKTV but was relevant to all applicants rejected without a full explanation, she said.