Watchdog satisfied with TVB's response over 'no Cantonese' policy

TVB's denial that it blocks its stars from speaking Cantonese on rival stations is enough to satisfy the broadcasting watchdog that it will not attempt to abuse its dominant market position in future, the commerce chief told lawmakers yesterday.

Greg So Kam-leung faced questions in the Legislative Council after the broadcaster was fined HK$900,000 by the Communications Authority for imposing unfair conditions on its employees and abusing its dominance.

TVB dismissed the watchdog's findings and issued a statement denying it had ever had a policy forcing artists to use a different language when they were interviewed by other channels.

So said the authority's report left no doubt that such a policy had existed in the past, but added: "The statement has satisfied the requirements of the authority by saying there won't be any anti-competitive policies in the future."

Claudia Mo Man-ching, of the Civic Party, said she was shocked the government was allowing TVB to dismiss the issue by way of a statement.

"The government doesn't have the ability and determination to deal with it," she said.