Backgrounder: Int'l conventions on radio, television broadcasting

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 ◆ Backgrounder: Int'l conventions on radio, television broadcasting

The United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1982 principles governing the use by states of artificial earth satellites for international direct television broadcasting.

The principles stipulate: using satellites to transmit radio and television programs must abide by international laws, including relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, and international conventions and radio regulations formulated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The Organic Law of the ITU stipulates, all radio stations, for whatever purpose and use, are not allowed to interfere with radio services of other ITU member countries, or that of authorized telecommunications operators and other officially-approved telecommunications organizations who operate according to rules, when they are set up or in operation. The article also requires that all ITU member countries must take every feasible step to guarantee that operation of various electric installations and equipment will not have a harmful effect on aforementioned radio services or communications.

First item of Article 15 of the ITU's radio regulation stipulates: all radio stations are prohibited from transmitting unnecessary, fake and disordered signals and signals that are not distinct.

Article 12 stipulates: all governing departments should take all feasible and necessary measures to guarantee that various electronic instruments and installations will bring no harm to radio telecommunications services, especially radio navigation or any other safety services.

Article 21 stipulates: governing departments, which are informed of violation by radio stations under their administration of ITU conventions or radio regulations, should investigate the involved cases to find out who is responsible and take necessary actions.

Article 109 of United Nations Law of the Sea Convention stipulates: all countries should cooperate to curb illegal broadcasting on international waters. Countries that have received such broadcasting or whose radio-communication has been disturbed by illegal broadcasting, have the right to arrest and detain, and even lodge lawsuits against people or ships involved.