It is proposed that comics would be divided into three categories instead of two. Public opinions suspect the effectiveness of this new classification.
However, when we compare government actions in this case to the ones it has taken in the development of the worldwide communication network, the Internet, we find that, at least in the former case, some action is better than none.
As you will see in our two articles in the Science Department, the Internet is playing an increasingly important role in international as well as local communication. Nevertheless, the Telecommunications Authority told our reporter that there is no plan to deal with this area specifically.
The Internet is covered by Telecommunication Service License with a loose definition which covers a large extent of communication means, including telephones. But one could easily cite some unique problems that exist on the Internet and that are worth dealing with independently.
The copyright problem is one. The spread of pornography and violence messages is another. Though it is claimed by the Internet services supplier as well as government officials that these problems are not that prominent so far, they are already gaining attention in the United States, where the Internet is better developed than Hong Kong.
Whether the problems will deteriorate is simply a question of time. It would be better should the government be alert and take actions earlier. It is lagging behind in promoting this technology already, and, if the government is not going to take it seriously, it is eventually going to be too late to correct the problems.