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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
The station has restructured its five radio channels with emphasis on the individual identity of each channel. Radio 1 of the Chinese channel has strengthened its news and current affairs output with the provision of news bulletins and summaries on a half-hourly basis between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. It has also expanded the production of programmes designed to encourage audience participation as well as community involvement, for instance promoting public awareness of the work of the district boards and the Clean Hong Kong campaign. Education programmes which incorporate language teaching, Chinese literature, history, overseas studies guidance, medical health guidance and sex education are also major features of this channel.
Radio 2 has been streamlined and remodelled as a channel mainly for young people, with popular music as the salient feature and a lively approach to community service. The disc jockeys have gained audience support through their participation in various government publicity campaigns and in entertainment programmes such as the Urban Council's Summer Fun Festival.
Radio 3 continues to be a channel broadcasting news and current affairs, talk shows and popular music for the English-speaking population.
Radio 4 has been restructured to develop into a channel for fine music and arts. While it is mainly for the English-speaking population, it also introduces several music programmes bilingually.
Radio 5, a bilingual channel, relays the BBC World Service from 5 p.m. to 2.30 a.m. daily; outside these hours it provides an additional FM service of programmes such as classical music, education programmes and drama. There has been an increase of programmes in Putonghua.
With the introduction of stereo drama, RTHK has become the first station in Southeast Asia to use such advanced technology in drama production.
Advanced technology will lead to broadcasting services using a wider spectrum of the VHF/FM band. Approval in principle has been given for the introduction of a VHF/FM transmission plan to duplicate in FM existing AM services and to enlarge the service area of FM broadcasts; the best ways to carry forward the scheme are being studied.
For Commercial Radio, one of the highlights of the year was the start of 24-hour broadcasting on the two Chinese channels. FM coverage was extended later in the year to cover more of the New Territories. A large scale audience survey was commissioned and the findings, as a result of the improved coverage, showed a marked increase in radio listening. The Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing is responsible for ensuring that the terms and conditions contained in the licence issued to Commercial Radio are complied with by the company, and during the year the station continued to maintain a highly satisfactory service.
There was an increase in the station's public service programmes, with the production of live shows to promote publicity campaigns including the Fight Against Crime, the Anti-narcotics drive and the Clean Hong Kong campaign. Money was raised for the Community Chest and other charitable organisations. To meet the growing interest in sport there were special reports on the World Cup, tennis at Wimbledon, the Asian Games, the International Rugby Sevens and the Macau Grand Prix. In addition, there was coverage of local events including racing, soccer, tennis, golf and go-karting.
The music scene continued to thrive. The major event was a full day of musical outside broadcasts ranging through five different music shows in Kowloon and Hong Kong in five locations. The station's presenters and producers acted as judges for the recording industry's Gold Record Award; and a Cantonese opera by the Chor Fung Ming Opera