Commercial Radio Fined HK$120,000 for Missing Hourly News on AM Station
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Communications Authority has fined Commercial Radio HK$120,000 for violating license conditions by failing to broadcast hourly news and weather reports on the AM864 channel during specific time slots over a nearly four-year period from May 2022 to April 2026. The broadcaster attributed the lapses to human error and administrative negligence, and claimed the impact on listeners was minimal given the station's small audience. The regulator, however, deemed the prolonged non-compliance and submission of inaccurate compliance reports unacceptable, ordering the station to strengthen its internal monitoring systems.
Key Points
- Commercial Radio's AM864 channel, an English-language music service, missed hourly news and weather broadcasts during morning 7am slots and evening 6pm-to-11pm slots
- The violations spanned from May 1, 2022, to April 2, 2026 — a period of nearly four years
- The broadcaster attributed the failures to human error and administrative negligence, which have since been corrected
- Commercial Radio argued the impact was minimal given the station's limited audience and availability of alternative news sources
- The regulator ordered a fine of HK$120,000 and required submission of enhanced internal monitoring improvement proposals within one month
Why It Matters
This case signals the Communications Authority's commitment to enforcing compliance standards across all licensed broadcasters, regardless of audience size. The requirement for improved internal controls and the finding of inaccurate regulatory submissions highlight the importance broadcasters must place on accurate self-reporting to their regulator.
This case signals the Communications Authority's commitment to enforcing compliance standards across all licensed broadcasters, regardless of audience size. The requirement for improved internal controls and the finding of inaccurate regulatory submissions highlight the importance broadcasters must place on accurate self-reporting to their regulator.