ENG-1984 — Page 309

242

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

popularly known as Commercial Radio (CR), and two by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS).

Policy guidelines for RTHK require the publicly financed station to provide balanced and objective broadcasting services to inform, educate and entertain the people of Hong Kong. Its aim is to serve the best interests of the community by providing impartial and balanced news and public affairs programmes reflecting accurately the views of both the government and the public. The Director of Broadcasting is its editor-in-chief.

RTHK now broadcasts a total of 700 hours a week and has a 24-hour service in both Chinese and English. The most recent independent survey showed that the total number of radio listeners was 85 per cent of the population aged nine and above. The station has developed the individual identity of each of its five channels.

Radio 1 of the Chinese service provides news bulletins and summaries on a half-hourly basis between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., and hourly throughout the night. It also broadcasts financial reports every hour during the day and traffic reports during rush hours. During the year, major political and social events in the territory were covered extensively.

Radio 2 has acquired popularity as a channel mainly for young people. Although popu- lar music is the salient feature, more magazine programmes have been introduced. During the year, the channel strengthened both its early morning and late evening magazines in an attempt to attract an even broader audience. The channel has a lively approach to community service, and has helped promote major publicity campaigns including Fight Crime, Anti-Narcotics, Road Safety and Anti-Smoking. In addition, a territory-wide sing- ing contest in 1984 provided a good publicity base for the 1985 district board elections.

Radio 3, the station's news and information channel for the English-speaking popula- tion, proved the value of 'live' broadcasting by arranging two 'firsts', coverage of the House of Commons debate on the future of Hong Kong and the later House of Lords debate in which the former Governor of Hong Kong, Lord MacLehose, spoke. The speech content of the channel was further strengthened by the regular use of stories, comedies, and quiz programmes from overseas as well as local recordings.

Radio 4 continues to develop as a channel for fine music and arts. During 1984, bilingual introductions were given to 60 per cent of the channel's programmes. In support of music and musicians in Hong Kong, the channel announced in June the Hong Kong Young String Player of the Year Competition, an event sponsored by a major bank.

Radio 5 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 Chinese programmes such as Cantonese opera, provincial music, as well as programmes in Putonghua (Mandarin) and the Chiu Chow dialect. During the year, it strengthened its educational and cultural programme content.

Commercial Radio operates two services in Cantonese and one in English primarily in the AM wave band but simulcasting both Chinese services on FM to Sha Tin, Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Fanling in the New Territories and the north side of Hong Kong Island. The Chinese services operate round the clock and the English service for 19 hours each day. Commercial Radio celebrated 25 years of broadcasting on August 26 and special programmes were produced for the occasion.

With increasing interest in current affairs, the station strengthened its Chinese and English news departments and provided detailed coverage concerning the Sino-British talks on Hong Kong's future.

During the year, shows were also produced in support of the district boards, the Urban Council, the Action Committee Against Narcotics, and in keeping Hong Kong clean. In addition, the station's services played an active role in supporting charitable and welfare