Communications Authority

The Communications Authority is a statutory body responsible for licensing and regulating the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in Hong Kong. It was formed in 2012 through a merger of the Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority, Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, and the Telecommunications Authority. The organisation is authorized to investigate complaints made regarding programmes, issue warnings and fines, or even suspend the license of the radio or television station.

Formed1 April 2012

Preceding agencies

• Broadcasting Authority
• Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority
• Telecommunications Authority

TypeStatutory body

Jurisdiction Hong Kong

Quick facts Statutory body overview, Formed ...

Communications Authority

通訊事務管理局
Statutory body overview
Formed	1 April 2012
Preceding agencies	Broadcasting Authority Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority Telecommunications Authority
Type	Statutory body
Jurisdiction	Hong Kong
Headquarters	Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
Minister responsible	Winnie TAM Wan-chi, SC, Chairman
Deputy Minister responsible	Eliza LEE Man-ching Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Creative Industries)
Key document	Communications Authority Ordinance (Cap. 616)
Website	coms-auth.hk

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The authority enforces the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562), the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106), the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance (Cap. 593), Communications Authority Ordinance, and the Broadcasting (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 391).

The regulatory agency is ostensibly independent of the government,^[1] but its executive functions are supported by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), a government department with a self-funding trust structure.^[2][3] In 2020, the Communications Authority issued a statement against RTHK concerning a comedy show for purportedly "denigrating and insulting" the Hong Kong Police Force.^[4]

In 2023, the agency recommended to the Chief Executive that free-to-air broadcasters transmit 30 minutes of patriotic and national security programming every week; the Chief Executive, John Lee, accepted the idea and made it mandatory.^[5]

In July 2023, the agency proposed that national security media be exempt from a requirement that programs be impartial with "even-handedness," as well as certain media from mainland China.^[6]