The LegCo Reporter 2003-2004		Issue No. 15 (19 February 2004)
At its meeting on 18 February 2004, the Legislative Council passed the following resolution: Resolution moved by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury under the Loans Ordinance. At the same meeting, the Council passed the following two motions with no legislative effect: (1) Motion on "Policy on broadcasting", moved by Hon SIN Chung-kai as amended by Hon Howard YOUNG and further amended by Hon Andrew CHENG Kar-foo "That, to tie in with the introduction of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting, this Council calls upon the Government to review the existing policy on broadcasting, affirm the importance of public broadcasting service, and establish public access television channels which may be operated by public organizations for the broadcast of programmes produced by public, non-profit making or non-government organizations, community groups and the public; the public access television channels should be regulated by the Broadcasting Authority, so as to prevent the broadcast of programmes which have contents that are obscene, indecent, defamatory, discriminatory, and incite social violence, so that the needs of all walks of life, including the socially disadvantaged groups and the creative industry, in the realm of information dissemination can be catered for and safeguarded, with a view to opening up opportunities for the public broadcasting service in Hong Kong." (2) Motion on "Participation in public affairs by young people", moved by Hon WONG Sing-chi "That, as many young people participated in the march on 1 July last year, which demonstrated their increasing concern for public and social affairs, this Council urges the Government to provide additional resources for schools and social organizations so that they have adequate funding to promote civic education, and the government departments concerned should also actively encourage young people to register as voters and exercise their civic rights in elections, as well as give strong impetus to District Councils' efforts in developing youth councils as a forum for facilitating discussion of and participation in public and social affairs by young people, thereby enhancing their sense of commitment and mission towards society, as well as helping the community in nurturing leaders."