COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
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Headliner. The three-hour public affairs magazine programme Newsrama is a major feature of the channel, bringing listeners up-to-the-minute reports on events around the territory. In line with its commitment to promote political awareness in the territory, Radio 1 produced more than 60 election forums for candidates during the run-up to the 1995 Legislative Council elections. There have been many simultaneous broadcasts with overseas stations, including Radio Guangdong in China.
Radio 2 provides programmes in Chinese ranging from civic education to entertainment, targeting Hong Kong's younger generation. Open Line, Open View and Youth Hotline provide avenues for young people to express their views on public affairs and current issues as well as to receive professional counselling. There are two major annual events: the Solar Project, which encourages young people to play a positive role in community affairs, and the annual Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award Presentation Concert, which promotes local musical talents and raises funds for charities. Both projects are very popular with the station's young audience. Following the success of the Ten Most Distinguished Stars Volunteer Recognition Campaign, jointly organised with the Agency for Voluntary Services, Radio 2 is keen to further promote community services.
Radio 3 maintains a high-quality English-language service for Hong Kong's multi- national community. Its flagship is the three-hour morning news and current affairs programme, Hong Kong Today. The Lunchtime Show features phone-ins with guest experts; Drive Time has a mix of traffic, financial and general information. In the - - evening, Teen-Time entertains youngsters with music and features. All The Way With -Ray by the ever-popular 'Uncle Ray' completes the day with music nostalgia. More public affairs programmes are featured during weekends. Listeners can phone in the Open Line Plus every Sunday morning, and raise their concerns to government and business leaders. Letter to Hong Kong gives the Governor of Hong Kong and leaders of political parties a weekly opportunity to put their messages to the people. The annual Operation Santa Claus pulls the community together to raise funds for charities at Christmas.
Radio 4 is a bilingual channel and is the only radio channel in Hong Kong devoted exclusively to fine music and the arts. Top quality local and international concerts, operas and specialist music programmes are supplemented by more-accessible introductory programmes. The channel also publishes its own monthly magazine with full programme listings and draws up monthly classical music CD Charts.
Radio 5 broadcasts educational, cultural and minority interest programmes such as Cantonese opera, provincial music and features in Putonghua. Care for the Elderly is the station's annual project. It involves visits to various hostels for the elderly by popular personalities. The coming year will see more Chinese cultural programmes.
Radio 6 relays the BBC World Service round the clock. It broadcasts a wide range of programmes, from news and current affairs, sports and documentaries to dramas, fine music and programmes for young people.
Radio 7 broadcasts news summaries and traffic reports at 30-minute intervals. Traffic news is sourced from the Police, taxi companies and volunteers. Financial data is updated every 15 minutes during weekdays. Special announcements are carried frequently during typhoons, heavy rainstorms and other emergencies. The channel also plays Chinese and Western 'golden oldies'.