ENG-1955 — Page 224

PRESS, BROADCASTING AND FILMS

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An Advertising and Display Section is responsible for all government advertising, the preparation and distribution of posters, pamphlets and other matter, and the maintenance of a film library. Nearly 4,000 films a year are borrowed.

BROADCASTING

Radio Hong Kong is a government broadcasting station, transmitting on two wavelengths on medium wave and one on short wave. On the Chinese wavelength (640 kcs.) the principal languages used are Cantonese, Kuoyu and Chiuchow; the other medium wavelength (860 kcs.) transmits in English, with occasional broadcasts in Portu- guese and French. The short-wave service is used for the Chinese service only, with transmission designed for local coverage. In March the frequency was changed to 3.94 megacycles in the 76-metre band, to serve those parts of the Colony where medium-wave reception is weak.

The studio centre occupies the sixth and seventh floors of Electra House, the headquarters of Cable and Wireless Ltd. in Victoria, fronting the Central Reclamation. This accommodation is rented from Cable and Wireless, who are responsible for the technical operation of Radio Hong Kong. The transmitters (2 kw. for the medium-wave services, 2 kw. on short wave), are situated at Hung Hom, Kowloon. Programmes are originated from Electra House and from a number of outside broadcasting points, in stadia, theatres, churches etc., connected to the studios by lines rented from the Hong Kong Telephone Co. Ltd. The studios are well equipped, with the two services operating from different floors, and include a concert hall with seating for 100, extending to both floors and used by both services as required.

The station is directed by a Controller of Broadcasting, with a senior programme assistant for each service, six programme assistants, four announcers for the Chinese service, two record librarians and a small clerical staff, the full personnel, excluding technical staff supplied by Cable and Wireless, amounting to 24. On the English programme a small band of enthusiastic amateur broadcasters provide indispensable services, including all announcing. The Con- troller is at present an officer on secondment from Radio Malaya.