Shifting of Regulatory Paradigm in Hong Kong: Revisit the HKTV Licensing Saga

Abstract

This paper attempts to trace the shift of the Hong Kong Government from minimalist social and economic regulatory convention to a high handed political approach in the broadcasting arena. The case of the licensing saga of Hong Kong TV was chosen to illustrate how ridiculous the situation was when an innovative operator was barred from market entry simply for not patriotic enough. No matter how strong the public outcry, the government simply ignored it. This new paradigm drives market-oriented television sector from the realm of economic development into the political arena which emphasizes on political correctness and national interest. The development of Hong Kong broadcasting landscape could no longer rely on the Western public choice rationale. The regulatory regime of Hong Kong broadcasting sector has silently harmonized with other Asian counterparts where political forces and government bureaucracies become priorities and public interests has to give way to national interests.