According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Hong Kong’s High Court has dismissed TVB’s application for a judicial review of a government agency’s decision to recommend the granting of new free-to-air television licences, saying that it will not review intermediate steps of the administration’s decision-making process. The broadcaster earlier said in court filings that the Communications Authority made an “unlawful” recommendation in July, when it supported the granting of new licences, saying the judgment was replete with both factual and legal errors.

After learning of the ruling, TVB, in a statement, expressed deep regret over the High Court’s decision and said it was seeking legal advice on filing an appeal. Separately, The Standard reported that the court said TVB can still submit materials representing itself to the chief executive and Exco. Rejecting the broadcaster’s application for a judicial review, the court said TVB had not suffered from any unfair treatment or irreversible damages, added The Standard.