On the air: Broadcasting Authority Chairman Daniel Fung and Broadcasting Services Survey Working Group Chairman Adrian Wong announce the authority's survey results.

The public generally accepts current television and radio programme standards, a Broadcasting Authority survey has found.

Between March and June, 1,625 interviews were conducted in the study of respondents aged 15 or above, with a 71.1% response rate.

Announcing the results today, the authority's Chairman Daniel Fung said 70% of television viewers and 77% of radio listeners found current programming standards appropriate.

Of the remainder, more tended to find the standards lenient and were particularly concerned about language use.

Other findings

About 35.8% of free-TV viewers came across offensive materials in either television programmes or advertisements. The corresponding figures for pay-TV viewers and radio listeners were 26.8% and 16.7%.

Respondents highly valued the importance of protecting children from unsuitable materials. About 93.3% of respondents with children in households that watched parental-guidance rated programmes said their children had been accompanied by adults.

About 73% recognised the authority as an avenue for dealing with broadcast complaints. About 36% said they would not lodge a broadcasting complaint. For the rest of the respondents, 71% would prefer filing complaints to the authority while 25% preferred lodging complaints directly to the TV or radio stations.

The survey also showed public satisfaction on free TV and radio programme variety is high. People generally agreed the expansion of pay-TV services has resulted in more programme choices and variety.

Follow-up action

The authority is planning to work with a local university to conduct a research study on the benchmarks relating to the use of language in broadcasting.

It will also strengthen communication with its Television & Radio Consultative Group and the broadcasting industry to keep abreast of the community's perception of broadcasting standards. The authority is recruiting group members for its new term starting January.