Complaints made to the CA about television and radio broadcasting are dealt with in accordance with the provisions stipulated in the Broadcasting (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (B(MP)O) (Cap. 391). The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), as the CA's executive arm, issues a written acknowledgement on receipt of a complaint if the complainant leaves a correspondence address. The complaints are carefully investigated to establish the facts and to examine whether there are any possible breaches of the legislation, licence conditions or codes of practice.

If there is prima facie evidence of a breach, the complaint may be referred to the BCC* for consideration and recommendation to the CA. The CA may impose appropriate sanctions according to the seriousness of the cases, including advice, warning, correction and/or apology, financial penalty or suspension of licences. In some instances where the breaches are minor, the Director-General of Communications (DG), acting under CA's delegated authority, may deal with these cases and remind the broadcasters suitably. (A note on the CA's complaints handling procedures is available here.)

• Complaints referred to the BCC
  
• Complaints handled by DG Com

* Section 11 of the B(MP)O provides for the consideration of complaints by the Broadcast Complaints Committee (BCC)