The Foreign Correspondents' Club was founded in Chongqing in 1943 and moved to Hong Kong in 1949. It is a club for the media, business and diplomatic community. It is located at 2 Lower Albert Road in , next to the Hong Kong Fringe Club.
The FCC is a members-only club with the following membership categories:
* Correspondent
* Journalist
* Associate
* International media-related corporate
* Diplomatic
The heart of the FCC is The Main Bar which maintains its reputation for colourful characters both from the media and other professions. The FCC has two restaurants on the first floor: the Main Dining Room focussed primarily on western-style cuisine, and the Chinese Restaurant.
In the basement is Bert's Bar, named after the late Bert Okuley, long time FCC member and jazz pianist. Bert's features live jazz several nights each week, often with the house band under the leadership of Musical Director Allen Youngblood. The pool table in Bert's also hosts annual 8-ball and 9-ball tournaments and is the home table of teams playing in local leagues of both codes.
The basement also contains The Work Room where local and visiting members can use the broadband-connected facilities to prepare their articles, and a small but well-equipped Health Club with sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.
The membership of the FCC includes reporters, photographers and radio and television teams, the Chief Executive of the SAR and leading figures in the worlds of business and diplomacy.
When prominent international figures from the worlds of commerce, politics or entertainment visit Hong Kong, many choose to address the FCC's speaker lunches as the best means of reaching their desired audience - both directly and through media coverage of the events. Recent speakers include the Chief Executive , former Chief Secretary Mrs Anson Chan and last Governor of Hong Kong, .
Located in the original Ice House at the top of Ice House Street the Club occupies one of the few remaining colonial buildings in core Central.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Bat dau tu nay
"Bat dau tu nay" is a phrase meaning "From now on" pr ''From this point forward'' . It was made famous in a frequently broadcast Vietnamese radio PSA on Radio Television Hong Kong in Hong Kong during the late and early . The frequency of the broadcast meant that many learned this Vietnamese phrase , and the phrase eventually became a metaphor for Vietnamese people.
In 1988, the Government of Hong Kong announced the policy of Comprehensive Plan of Action in an attempt to stop the continuing influx of boat people after the communist takeover in Vietnam and Laos. After the "cut-off day" on June 16, 1988, the Indochinese people who fled to Hong Kong would no longer automatically be considered as ''prima facie'' refugees, but only asylum seekers. They had to be screened to qualify for refugee status. Those who were screened-out would be sent back to Vietnam and Laos under an orderly and monitored repatriation program.
One way for the Hong Kong Government to propagandize this policy was to make an announcement in Vietnamese on Radio Television Hong Kong , which is a radio corporation operated with funding from the Government. The Government intended to use this radio announcement to inform the Indochinese boat people that they might be repatriated, and to discourage them from coming to Hong Kong.
The radio announcement was broadcast several times in a day. Although most Hong Kong people didn't know Vietnamese, they gradually memorized the pronunciation of the announcement.
The radio announcement began with a sentence in , the most commonly spoken Chinese variant in Hong Kong.
香港對越南船民已經實施甄別政策。跟住嗰段越南話廣播，就係向佢哋講述呢個政策嘅內容。
This was then followed by a paragraph in Vietnamese .
B?t ??u t? nay, m?t chính sách m?i v? thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam ?? ???c ch?p hành t?i H?ng K?ng. T? nay v? sau, nh?ng thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam ki?m cách nh?p c?nh H?ng K?ng v?i th?n ph?n nh?ng ng??i di t?n vì v?n ?? kinh t? s? b? coi là nh?ng ng??i nh?p c?nh phi pháp. Là nh?ng ng??i nh?p c?nh phi pháp, h? s? kh?ng có chút kh? n?ng nào ?? ???c ?i ??nh c? t?i n??c th? ba, và h? s? b? giam c?m ?? ch? ngày gi?i v? Vi?t Nam.
After that, the announcement ended with another sentence in Cantonese Chinese.
剛才嗰段越南話廣播，係向企圖進入香港嘅越南船民，講述香港對佢哋實施嘅甄別政策。
The announcement was aired frequently on RTHK, one of the most popular radio channels in Hong Kong. Due to the fact that the announcement was in a foreign language, it drew the attention of a lot of the audience in Hong Kong. Gradually, a lot of Hong Kong people remembered the pronunciation of the first phrase, "B?t ??u t? nay". They often transliterated the phrase in Cantonese Chinese as "北漏洞拉" or "不漏洞拉", although the actual pronunciation is closer to "不竇杜拉". As more and more Hong Kong people learnt this Vietnamese phrase, they started to use its Cantonese transliteration to represent Vietnamese people.
However, this phrase is usually considered as derogatory, or even racist. Some Hong Kong people that do not know the meaning and the background of this Vietnamese phrase often think that it has a positive meaning like "Sawadee" in Thai, or as "your attention", "dear friends", "dear compatriot", "dear comrades", or even "hello". If they use this Vietnamese phrase to greet a Vietnamese person, the Vietnamese person would probably either be offended, or not understand what is going on.
The first recorded instance of the usage of "B?t ??u t? nay" in Hong Kong entertainment programmes was during the 1980s, when it was used in a segment of the light entertainment show Enjoy Yourself Tonight. In the segment, a fight in the refugee camp was parodied, and two actors, using the stage names "B?t ??u" and "T? nay", roughed up one of the audience in the "legislative council" meeting who was well known for creating commotions during Legislative Council meetings.
During the 1990s, some asylum seekers managed to use self-made tools to cut through the fence around the refugee camps and escaped. This incident was replayed on RTHK's news parody programme . In the video, the phrase was split into the following
*B?t ??u?
*t?! .
*nay! .
In the early 2000s, Vietnamese cuisine became popular in Hong Kong, and the phrase, which had faded out of memory after the resolution of the refugee problem, resurfaced in an advertising campaign for a Vietnamese restaurant.
During the 2003 SARS epidemic in Hong Kong, Eric Kot , a local comedian, phoenetically spoofed the original refugee policy announcement to parody the SARS crisis.
The format of the spoof was similar to the original announcement.
越南政府已經向香港市民入境限制。越南政府已經向香港疫民實施隔離政策，以下嘅一段廣東話廣播，係向企圖進入越南嘅香港疫民，講述呢個政策嘅內容:
This was then followed by a paragraph in Cantonese .
一入就拉，疊起一堆，莫問到越南，驗疫執行大行動。唔理肥瘦，請勿進越南，遵守入境奉告，強闖者入境隨時係咁大，帶銀來入境照「烹」，藏匿者將公刊樣貌，發現會被控，兼大碌竹蹦，傳播者被監禁，之後照踢出越南！
After that, the announcement ended with another sentence in normal-toned Cantonese Chinese.
以上係越南政府已經向香港嘅市民入境檢疫嘅政策。
Background of the radio announcement
In 1988, the Government of Hong Kong announced the policy of Comprehensive Plan of Action in an attempt to stop the continuing influx of boat people after the communist takeover in Vietnam and Laos. After the "cut-off day" on June 16, 1988, the Indochinese people who fled to Hong Kong would no longer automatically be considered as ''prima facie'' refugees, but only asylum seekers. They had to be screened to qualify for refugee status. Those who were screened-out would be sent back to Vietnam and Laos under an orderly and monitored repatriation program.
One way for the Hong Kong Government to propagandize this policy was to make an announcement in Vietnamese on Radio Television Hong Kong , which is a radio corporation operated with funding from the Government. The Government intended to use this radio announcement to inform the Indochinese boat people that they might be repatriated, and to discourage them from coming to Hong Kong.
The radio announcement was broadcast several times in a day. Although most Hong Kong people didn't know Vietnamese, they gradually memorized the pronunciation of the announcement.
The content of the announcement
Original text of the announcement
The radio announcement began with a sentence in , the most commonly spoken Chinese variant in Hong Kong.
香港對越南船民已經實施甄別政策。跟住嗰段越南話廣播，就係向佢哋講述呢個政策嘅內容。
This was then followed by a paragraph in Vietnamese .
B?t ??u t? nay, m?t chính sách m?i v? thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam ?? ???c ch?p hành t?i H?ng K?ng. T? nay v? sau, nh?ng thuy?n nh?n Vi?t Nam ki?m cách nh?p c?nh H?ng K?ng v?i th?n ph?n nh?ng ng??i di t?n vì v?n ?? kinh t? s? b? coi là nh?ng ng??i nh?p c?nh phi pháp. Là nh?ng ng??i nh?p c?nh phi pháp, h? s? kh?ng có chút kh? n?ng nào ?? ???c ?i ??nh c? t?i n??c th? ba, và h? s? b? giam c?m ?? ch? ngày gi?i v? Vi?t Nam.
After that, the announcement ended with another sentence in Cantonese Chinese.
剛才嗰段越南話廣播，係向企圖進入香港嘅越南船民，講述香港對佢哋實施嘅甄別政策。
Meaning of the announcement in English
The use of the phrase to refer to Vietnamese people
The announcement was aired frequently on RTHK, one of the most popular radio channels in Hong Kong. Due to the fact that the announcement was in a foreign language, it drew the attention of a lot of the audience in Hong Kong. Gradually, a lot of Hong Kong people remembered the pronunciation of the first phrase, "B?t ??u t? nay". They often transliterated the phrase in Cantonese Chinese as "北漏洞拉" or "不漏洞拉", although the actual pronunciation is closer to "不竇杜拉". As more and more Hong Kong people learnt this Vietnamese phrase, they started to use its Cantonese transliteration to represent Vietnamese people.
However, this phrase is usually considered as derogatory, or even racist. Some Hong Kong people that do not know the meaning and the background of this Vietnamese phrase often think that it has a positive meaning like "Sawadee" in Thai, or as "your attention", "dear friends", "dear compatriot", "dear comrades", or even "hello". If they use this Vietnamese phrase to greet a Vietnamese person, the Vietnamese person would probably either be offended, or not understand what is going on.
Portrayal In Hong Kong Media
Early portrayal
The first recorded instance of the usage of "B?t ??u t? nay" in Hong Kong entertainment programmes was during the 1980s, when it was used in a segment of the light entertainment show Enjoy Yourself Tonight. In the segment, a fight in the refugee camp was parodied, and two actors, using the stage names "B?t ??u" and "T? nay", roughed up one of the audience in the "legislative council" meeting who was well known for creating commotions during Legislative Council meetings.
1990s
During the 1990s, some asylum seekers managed to use self-made tools to cut through the fence around the refugee camps and escaped. This incident was replayed on RTHK's news parody programme . In the video, the phrase was split into the following
*B?t ??u?
*t?! .
*nay! .
2000s
In the early 2000s, Vietnamese cuisine became popular in Hong Kong, and the phrase, which had faded out of memory after the resolution of the refugee problem, resurfaced in an advertising campaign for a Vietnamese restaurant.
During the 2003 SARS epidemic in Hong Kong, Eric Kot , a local comedian, phoenetically spoofed the original refugee policy announcement to parody the SARS crisis.
Text of the Spoof Announcement
The format of the spoof was similar to the original announcement.
越南政府已經向香港市民入境限制。越南政府已經向香港疫民實施隔離政策，以下嘅一段廣東話廣播，係向企圖進入越南嘅香港疫民，講述呢個政策嘅內容:
This was then followed by a paragraph in Cantonese .
一入就拉，疊起一堆，莫問到越南，驗疫執行大行動。唔理肥瘦，請勿進越南，遵守入境奉告，強闖者入境隨時係咁大，帶銀來入境照「烹」，藏匿者將公刊樣貌，發現會被控，兼大碌竹蹦，傳播者被監禁，之後照踢出越南！
After that, the announcement ended with another sentence in normal-toned Cantonese Chinese.
以上係越南政府已經向香港嘅市民入境檢疫嘅政策。
Broadcast Drive
Broadcast Drive is a in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. The road is notable as having played host to five broadcasting outlets in Hong Kong at one point in the 1970s, and the hill on which the road is located was known as ''Ng Toi Shan'' during that time. The five broadcasters were:
*Radio Television Hong Kong , whose headquarters was inaugurated in 1969
*Commercial Radio Hong Kong
*Television Broadcasts Limited
*Rediffusion Television , later renamed Asia Television Limited ; and
*Commercial Television
The area became known as ''Four-station Hill'' in 1978 following Commercial Television's collapse. Its studio building was acquired by RTHK for its television unit, and was reopened as Television House in 1986.
TVB moved its operations to the Clearwater Bay TV City in 1992, and ATV moved to Tai Po in 2007, leaving RTHK and CRHK the only remaining broadcasters on the road. RTHK has announced plans to move its operations to Tseung Kwan O within the next few years. The reason for the departure of broadcast stations is partly due to the rising value of the land occupied and stations cashing in the rise in value.
The area is also a well known high end residential neighborhood, and is home to those mainly from professional and upper middle class backgrounds.
*Broadcast Drive intersects two other roads with names related to broadcasting: Marconi Road and Fessenden Road .
*''Ng Toi Shan'' is a reference to an existing Wutai Shan in which is a notable setting in Louis Cha's novels.
*It is also notable for being one of the most popular 'skate spots' for skateboarders in Hong Kong.
*Radio Television Hong Kong , whose headquarters was inaugurated in 1969
*Commercial Radio Hong Kong
*Television Broadcasts Limited
*Rediffusion Television , later renamed Asia Television Limited ; and
*Commercial Television
The area became known as ''Four-station Hill'' in 1978 following Commercial Television's collapse. Its studio building was acquired by RTHK for its television unit, and was reopened as Television House in 1986.
TVB moved its operations to the Clearwater Bay TV City in 1992, and ATV moved to Tai Po in 2007, leaving RTHK and CRHK the only remaining broadcasters on the road. RTHK has announced plans to move its operations to Tseung Kwan O within the next few years. The reason for the departure of broadcast stations is partly due to the rising value of the land occupied and stations cashing in the rise in value.
The area is also a well known high end residential neighborhood, and is home to those mainly from professional and upper middle class backgrounds.
Trivia
*Broadcast Drive intersects two other roads with names related to broadcasting: Marconi Road and Fessenden Road .
*''Ng Toi Shan'' is a reference to an existing Wutai Shan in which is a notable setting in Louis Cha's novels.
*It is also notable for being one of the most popular 'skate spots' for skateboarders in Hong Kong.
Annie Wong
Annie Chung Wong is a TVB actress in Hong Kong. She is currently working for TVB. In an interview she said:"I want to become a hairdresser, make-up artist and dresser. As an artist one can learn all three things."
* Chinese name: 鍾煌
* English name: Annie Chung Wong
* Date of Birth: December 5, 1984
* Welcome to the House as Gou Wai Ting or 高B
* Bar Benders
* Maidens' Vow
Profile
* Chinese name: 鍾煌
* English name: Annie Chung Wong
* Date of Birth: December 5, 1984
Filmography
* Welcome to the House as Gou Wai Ting or 高B
* Bar Benders
* Maidens' Vow
ATV News
ATV News is the newsgathering arm of Asia Television Ltd in the Philippines. It provides news programmes to both its ATV Home, ATV World as well as the 24-hour ATV News Channel on cable channel 27 in Manila).
* CBS Evening News
* ATV Putonghua News
* Putonghua Economic Bulletin
* Weather News - Cantonese and Putonghua
* China News Update
* Financial Report - Cantonese
* Main News And Weather Report - Cantonese
* Late News - Cantonese
* Financial Update - Cantonese
* China News Express
ATV News has 10 overseas bureaux and has feeds from CNN and CBS.
* 24-hour news channel - Cantonese
* finance news channel - Cantonese
Besides producing daily news reports, ATV offers eight news programmes: six in Cantonese, two in English. Its news programmes broadcast in Cantonese are:
* ''Monetary Word''
* ''Chasing Current Affairs''
* ''Decoding Current Affairs''
* ''Following Ad Hoc News''
* ''Investment Strategy''
* ''Mr. Tsang's Show'' .
Its two English-language news programmes are ''Newsline'', a discussion show, and ''Inside Story'', a topical magazine show.
* Claire Yiu
* Cheung Wai-tsz
* Kwok Tse Ting
* Renato Reyes
* Maria Ressa
* Luchi Cruz-Valdez
* Charie Villa
?-''News Bureau Chiefs
News Broadcasts
* CBS Evening News
* ATV Putonghua News
* Putonghua Economic Bulletin
* Weather News - Cantonese and Putonghua
* China News Update
* Financial Report - Cantonese
* Main News And Weather Report - Cantonese
* Late News - Cantonese
* Financial Update - Cantonese
* China News Express
ATV News has 10 overseas bureaux and has feeds from CNN and CBS.
News Channels
* 24-hour news channel - Cantonese
* finance news channel - Cantonese
News Programmes
Besides producing daily news reports, ATV offers eight news programmes: six in Cantonese, two in English. Its news programmes broadcast in Cantonese are:
* ''Monetary Word''
* ''Chasing Current Affairs''
* ''Decoding Current Affairs''
* ''Following Ad Hoc News''
* ''Investment Strategy''
* ''Mr. Tsang's Show'' .
Its two English-language news programmes are ''Newsline'', a discussion show, and ''Inside Story'', a topical magazine show.
Staff
* Claire Yiu
* Cheung Wai-tsz
* Kwok Tse Ting
* Renato Reyes
* Maria Ressa
* Luchi Cruz-Valdez
* Charie Villa
English News Anchors
?-''News Bureau Chiefs
English Youth Reporters
English Senior Reporters
Hong Kong Audit Bureau of Circulations
The Hong Kong Audit Bureau of Circulations , or HKABC in short, was established in April 1995.
It is a non-profit organization which aims at promoting the cause of circulation auditing in Hong Kong. It seeks to encourage a higher standard of circulation data management and reporting so as to protect the rights of advertisers and buyers, and uphold the integrity and credibility of publishers.
It is a non-profit organization which aims at promoting the cause of circulation auditing in Hong Kong. It seeks to encourage a higher standard of circulation data management and reporting so as to protect the rights of advertisers and buyers, and uphold the integrity and credibility of publishers.
Teacup in a Storm
Teacup in a Storm was a popular radio show in Commercial Radio Hong Kong. This show discussed and aired grievances by callers about the government.
Sing Tao News Corporation
Sing Tao News Corporation Limited is a Hong Kong listed company. It is mainly focused on the business of Media Ownership & Services, Human Capital Management, as well as Broadband Content & Distribution. It was formerly called Global China Group Holdings Limited .
The Group is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange . As of December 16, 2005, its market capitalization was 632.9 million. The group was formerly known as Global China Group Holdings Limited until September 18, 2002, as Global China Technology Group Limited until August 27, 2002, and as Perfect Treasure Holdings Limited until July 24, 2000.
The Group's founder and is Charles Ho Tsu Kwok, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
* Ownership & Services
** Media ownership
*** Sing Tao Newspaper Group Limited - Publication of ''Sing Tao Daily'' and ''The Standard'' newspapers
*** China Touch Media Solutions & Services Ltd. - Publication of magazines: ''East Week'', ''East Touch'', ''PC Market'', '''', ''Caz Buyer'', ''Smart Choice Weekly''
*** World Link Publication Group Limited - Publication of Chinese books
*** Xinhua Online Info-tech Company Limited - Provision of multimedia content
** Media Services
*** Greater China Media Services Limited - Provision of nationwide print media distribution services in the
*** Global China Media Consulting Company Limited - Provision of media consultancy and management services in the PRC
*** GC Media Teamwork Limited - Provision of content sales and distribution
* Human Capital Management
** Corporate training / Continuing education
*** China HCM Company Limited - Provision of corporate training and continuing education
** Recruitment media
*** Job Market Publishing Limited - Publication of ''Job Market'' recruitment magazine
* Content & Distribution
** Internet broadband technology development / broadband content
*** Beelink Information Science and Technology Company Limited
The Group has formed strategic alliances with several authoritative media corporations, tertiary institutions and renowned enterprises to strengthen its business portfolios. They include the Xinhua News Agency, the People's Daily Press, Dow Jones News Agency, the University of International Business and Economics, the Peking University Founder Group Corporation, Sanlian Group, dnmstrategies together with other partners.
The Group
The Group is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange . As of December 16, 2005, its market capitalization was 632.9 million. The group was formerly known as Global China Group Holdings Limited until September 18, 2002, as Global China Technology Group Limited until August 27, 2002, and as Perfect Treasure Holdings Limited until July 24, 2000.
The Group's founder and is Charles Ho Tsu Kwok, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Group's structure
* Ownership & Services
** Media ownership
*** Sing Tao Newspaper Group Limited - Publication of ''Sing Tao Daily'' and ''The Standard'' newspapers
*** China Touch Media Solutions & Services Ltd. - Publication of magazines: ''East Week'', ''East Touch'', ''PC Market'', '''', ''Caz Buyer'', ''Smart Choice Weekly''
*** World Link Publication Group Limited - Publication of Chinese books
*** Xinhua Online Info-tech Company Limited - Provision of multimedia content
** Media Services
*** Greater China Media Services Limited - Provision of nationwide print media distribution services in the
*** Global China Media Consulting Company Limited - Provision of media consultancy and management services in the PRC
*** GC Media Teamwork Limited - Provision of content sales and distribution
* Human Capital Management
** Corporate training / Continuing education
*** China HCM Company Limited - Provision of corporate training and continuing education
** Recruitment media
*** Job Market Publishing Limited - Publication of ''Job Market'' recruitment magazine
* Content & Distribution
** Internet broadband technology development / broadband content
*** Beelink Information Science and Technology Company Limited
Alliances
The Group has formed strategic alliances with several authoritative media corporations, tertiary institutions and renowned enterprises to strengthen its business portfolios. They include the Xinhua News Agency, the People's Daily Press, Dow Jones News Agency, the University of International Business and Economics, the Peking University Founder Group Corporation, Sanlian Group, dnmstrategies together with other partners.
RoadShow
RoadShow , formerly known as "資訊娛樂共同睇" ） is the first "Multi-Media On Board" service on transit vehicles in the world. It was launched by Kowloon Motor Bus Company on 26 November 2000. In addition to the MMOB business, the RoadShow is also involved in the outdoor advertising in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
RoadShow Holdings Ltd is currently a member of KMB Group. KMB has 74% of the franchised bus market share and 27% of the public transport market share in Hong Kong. At the same time, , another Hong Kong bus company which involved in RoadShow's MMOB business, owns 14% of the bus market share.
RoadShow Holdings Limited is owned 73% by the KMB Holdings and the remaining 27% goes to public investors. There are four wholly owned subsidiaries under RoadShow Holdings Limited. They are RoadVision Holdings Limited, RoadShow Media Holdings Limited, RoadShow Creations Limited and RoadShow Media Limited. At the same time, the group holds 60% of share of its subsidiary the Bus Focus Limited.
Reorganization arrangements were made in response to the listing of RoadShow Holdings Ltd in 2001. Subsidiaries in RoadShow were assigned to different business aspects.
RoadShow Media Ltd is responsible for providing management and administrative services in relation to bus body advertising of the KMB fleet. Service charge will be paid to RoadShow Media Ltd by KMB Public Bus Services Holdings Ltd.
Bus Focus Ltd has come into an agreement with KMB Group on the advertising on a number of bus shelters. Bus Focus Ltd enjoys the right to operate the advertising business on bus shelters while KMB Group receives a royalty on a revenue sharing basis, subject to a minimum payment.
RoadVision Holdings Ltd responsible for the development of the corporation in China. It holds interests in certain subsidiaries ,and also an associate company which engaged in outdoor advertising in Mainland China. It, on the other hand, manages a worldwide multi-dimensional advertising network which covers more than 200 cities in the Mainland China.
RoadShow Creations Ltd manages the merchandising business of the corporation. The business includes selling of a variety of commemorative items, bus models and souvenirs.
RoadShow business includes of three main areas: MMOB, Transit Network and Merchandising business. The company aims at providing their clients with an effective advertising medium, which it argues to provide repetitive high impact, low cost advertising and a large audience, the potential for consumer impulse buying and mass reach of a diversified audience.
The Group's MMOB business includes installing, operating and maintaining equipment and LCD units in transit vehicles for the transmission of tailor-made programmes and advertisements, source programme content and marketing and selling advertising on the MMOB system.
Roadshow provides entertainment and advertisements to the passengers of public transit vehicles in Hong Kong. The programmes are broadcast daily, to an audience of around 3 million, by a series of strategically-mounted, vibration- resistant LCD monitors, each offering a 160° viewing angle, installed in over 4000 transit vehicles from KMB, Long Win Bus , Citybus and .
Each bus has 4 high resolution LCD screens, which included two 15" screens on the lower deck and two 17" screens on the upper deck. Audio bus TV broadcasts one-hour pre-recorded VCD programmes 16-18 times a day. The audio of the television broadcasts is delivered via 15 public speakers that line both sides of the passageways on the two decks with four-channel stereo systems.
Another business of RoadShow is advertising on the transit vehicle exterior or transit vehicle shelters. The advertisements make use of the visibility of transit vehicles or vehicle shelters in the street. This outdoor media platform provides over 4,200 buses with exterior panels on double deck buses together with 2,500 bus shelters panels for display of advertising space.
The advertising on the transit vehicle exterior is produced from a high resolution vinyl which can be visible from distance by pedestrians. Transit vehicle exterior advertising includes advertisements on the entire transit vehicle body as well as on panels on the sides and back of the transit vehicle. The vinyl displays are able to withstand the rigors of cleaning and all types of weather, and they can also be removed without harming the paint on the transit vehicle through the use of a special adhesive.
While major transit vehicle shelters are traditional shelters, there are increasingly modern transit vehicle shelters constructed of lightweight stainless steel providing comfort to waiting passengers and also an advertising medium to advertisers.
Transit vehicle shelter panels mostly have two sides, both of which can display advertisements. The back of the panels is illuminated to highlight the advertisements and to reach both the vehicular and the pedestrian audiences. Advertisements for display in transit vehicle shelters consist of posters supplied by the advertiser.
Bus stop stations called Cyber bus stops are interactive computer terminals locating at certain transit vehicle shelters along major routes as well as inside major transit vehicle terminals. Passengers and pedestrians can access to route information and website via touch-screen display panels.
RoadShow merchandising business sells a variety of commemorative items, bus models and souvenirs with the KMB logo. The bus models sold are with special livery and replicate buses operated by Kowloon Motor Bus. These souvenirs are popular among both the public and collectors. Public can purchase the items by using the e-purchase system for instant shopping, or visiting the Kowloon Motor Bus Customer Service Centres in person and choose. All of the bus models are limited editions and attract collectors.
RoadShow began operating on the Mainland in 2002 when it gained the rights to display advertising at the "Lamplight Rainbow" Tunnel on Huahai Road in Shanghai . Subsequently, its assets grew to include bus bodies, bus shelters and telephone booths in Beijing , Guangzhou and Shenzhen . It also began offering advertising agency services for the Guangzhou Metro mass transit system and outdoor media assets in other regions such as Tianjin, Chengdu and Xi'an.
Recently all of the RoadShow's programmes are prepared in a . There are 3 different versions of VCD available in the 4,000 buses. There is a certain pattern in distributing different versions of disc, which version A and B will be available in 1,200 buses respectively and version C for 1,600 buses. All discs are distributed on a daily, random and rotational basis over the fleet.
Apart from TV advertisements, a number of programme segments have been introduced to RoadShow's programme development. These segments are not only produced by the production team of RoadShow, but also from independent production bodies and other local and non-local media agencies .
In September 2001, RoadShow and ATV have agreed to become strategic partners and struck a 3-year deal that entitles RoadShow the exclusive right to show ATV programme highlights. TV drama highlights, weekly news summary, game show as well as infotainment programmes have been aired on RoadShow. In addition, RTHK is now providing programme content freely to RoadShow as well.
RoadShow also co-operates with other organizations and companies to produce programmes. For example, the programme ''Weekends Game Review'', which introduces new PC games, is a co-product by RoadShow and Cross Media, a Hong Kong publication company. Besides, RoadShow also sponsors some outdoor activities, like concerts, and broadcasts the behind-the-scenes footage.
The content of segments can be categorized in the following classification.
Type
* Cartoon
* Celebrity Chat
* Family and Health
* iClub Interactive Game
* Infotainment
* Lifestyle
* Music and Movie
* News and Current Affairs
* Science
* Society, Education and Community
* Special
* Sports and Recreation
* Travelogue
Most of the RoadShow's programmes are in with Chinese language subtitles. But increasingly there are more and programmes available for passengers.
KMB is now undertaking an experimental project to introduce the Global Positioning System on bus tracking and bus fleet management. Apart from the traffic management purpose, the usage of GPS on the fleet can also provide real time information to RoadShow, which means that real time news, weather and traffic information will be available in RoadShow in the future.
However, in dense urban areas with congested high-rise buildings, the satellite signals to the GPS receiver are often blocked and the accuracy of the results adversely affected. KMB claims that GPS would only be installed to the whole fleet until the problem is solved.
MMOB serves as a mobile podium for advertising in Hong Kong. Its special feature is to provide a large number of passengers with frequent broadcasting on advertisements, those mobile advertisements can arouse consumers' impromptu intention on shopping. It is a popular channel for companies to promote their products for different reasons:
* When people watch television at home they are often engaged in other activities. They are sometimes eating, looking after their children, knitting, cooking etc. In this way watching television becomes a secondary activity. But at the bus the consumers don't have a lot of other activities to engage in. Here, watching television becomes a primary activity.
* By choosing bus-routes for their commercials, advertisers can easily identify consumers traveling to shopping centers and entertainment venues on transit vehicles. They are on their way to spend money and will easily recall the information given by the advertisers while they are shopping.
In addition to MMOB services, RoadShow also served as the agency in managing a number of outdoor advertisements on exterior of buses and in bus shelter panels in Greater China Region.
Advertising on RoadShow MMOB
Claimed as a mobile advertising media with large audience base, RoadShow provides different plans for their clients to place commercials. Price varies from the length of the commercial as well as the number of buses involved.
The main argument against MMOB argues the fact that the travellers cannot turn off the programs, turn down the volume or change channel. This implies that they cannot skip the commercials. Public transport franchises enjoy "monopoly" over many routes. Many passengers have no real alternative means of transport. The term "captive audience" is repeated. Human brain cannot ignore sound or vision. RoadShow's website describes bus television as "a highly effective multi-media advertising platform that pushes your products and services to reach a mass audience in a captive environment".
On the other side, there are passengers who welcome MMOB. Especially short-distance travellers, welcome the free infotainment. By short-distance travellers, it means travellers who travel for less than 10 minutes. Others supporting bus television believe that the income from commercials will ultimately help to reduce pressure on fare increase and ensure more efficient public bus services.
The introduction of this "Multi-media On Board" on franchised public transport is controversial.
Members of the public and newspaper columnists have complained in the media about the problems of noise pollution, ubiquitous commercialism, exploitation of passengers' captive situation, abuse of public transport franchises, and the lack of options for passengers who prefer not to watch or listen to television broadcasts.
The installation of commercial TV services in buses was met with opposition from its beginning. The opposition came from passengers who found the noise from commercial broadcasting on buses disturbing. A concern group called '''' was formed on 4 May 2002. It aims to reduce passenger annoyance from bus TV. Prior to the establishment of HTB, what later became members of it lobbied against multi-media advertising on public transport under the ban of the ''''. Members have met with government officials, legislators and executives of the bus companies. HTB has managed to continue to interact with its supporters and is persistent in its lobbying work. But in the main it has remained a minority. It has been argued that its activities highlight the weak power of environmental or civic groups contra profit-making corporations.
Also there is '''', which is supported by Hong Kong Consumer Advocates, established to protect kids from being captured by the broadcast of TV on public bus. They conduct surveys on buses and report the data on websites and they expose the flaw of why the bus companies so eager to run bus TV. They advocate safe and fair public transportation facilities in Hong Kong.
They claim that Bus TV violate riders' rights to freedom of choice. And while some advertisements, content of the programmes might have:
* violence
* debasing music
* movies not suitable for children
* adult movies
* boring talk show
* superstitious talk show
* aggressively pushing products and services
* manipulative ads
which can bring great harms to people especially children.
They claim that Roadshow has interrupted their freedom as there are:
* no on-off switch
* no remote control
* no option not to be bothered
* 2005
** Caring Company Award 2004/05
** Gold Award for Cover Photo/ Design
** Honors Award for Non-Traditional Annual Report
RoadShow received the Caring Company Award of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for four consecutive years from 2002 to 2005.
RoadShow was recognised for its efforts in caring for the community and commitment to good corporate citizenship through disseminating community
service messages and broadcasting public educational programmes via MMOB.
* 2004
** Gold Award for Overall Annual Report
** Caring Company Award 2003/04
** Champion Award in the 15th Hong Kong Print Awards in the Annual Report category
** Awards of Annual Reports Competition 2004
RoadShow received the Gold Award for Overall Annual Reports in the media company category from the International Academy Awards of Annual Reports Competition 2004. The competition is hosted annually by the New York-based MerComm Inc
* 2003
** Gold Award for Cover Design
** Silver Award for Non-Traditional Annual Report
RoadShow received the Gold Award for Cover Photo/Design and Silver Award for Non-traditional Annual Reports from the International Academy Awards of Annual Reports Competition in 2003.
RoadShow also received several awards between 2001 and 2002.
* Chairman and Non-Executive Director: ''Mr John Chan Cho Chak''
* Deputy chairman and Non-Executive Director: ''Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam''
* Group Managing Director: ''Ms Winnie J Ng''
* Director: '' Mr Mak Chun Keung''
* Director and Chief Operations Officer: ''Ms Amanda Lui Yee Fai''
* Chief Programme Officer: ''Mr Yeung Chun-yiu''
* Chief Financial Officer: ''Mr Thomas Mak Hing Keung''
*FirsTVision Now is under controlled by RoadShow.
*Newsline Express
In March 2005, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation and i-CABLE Communications Limited announced the launching of "Newsline Express" on board the KCR trains. News information and advertisement will be delivered to passengers through the existing Passenger Information Display System on trains.
In MTR, there are LCD giving advertisements to customers.
It is looking forwards that MMOBs will become widespread in HK and it will be a great business.
The Corporation
RoadShow Holdings Ltd is currently a member of KMB Group. KMB has 74% of the franchised bus market share and 27% of the public transport market share in Hong Kong. At the same time, , another Hong Kong bus company which involved in RoadShow's MMOB business, owns 14% of the bus market share.
RoadShow Holdings Limited is owned 73% by the KMB Holdings and the remaining 27% goes to public investors. There are four wholly owned subsidiaries under RoadShow Holdings Limited. They are RoadVision Holdings Limited, RoadShow Media Holdings Limited, RoadShow Creations Limited and RoadShow Media Limited. At the same time, the group holds 60% of share of its subsidiary the Bus Focus Limited.
Reorganization arrangements were made in response to the listing of RoadShow Holdings Ltd in 2001. Subsidiaries in RoadShow were assigned to different business aspects.
RoadShow Media Ltd
RoadShow Media Ltd is responsible for providing management and administrative services in relation to bus body advertising of the KMB fleet. Service charge will be paid to RoadShow Media Ltd by KMB Public Bus Services Holdings Ltd.
Bus Focus Ltd
Bus Focus Ltd has come into an agreement with KMB Group on the advertising on a number of bus shelters. Bus Focus Ltd enjoys the right to operate the advertising business on bus shelters while KMB Group receives a royalty on a revenue sharing basis, subject to a minimum payment.
RoadVision Holdings Ltd
RoadVision Holdings Ltd responsible for the development of the corporation in China. It holds interests in certain subsidiaries ,and also an associate company which engaged in outdoor advertising in Mainland China. It, on the other hand, manages a worldwide multi-dimensional advertising network which covers more than 200 cities in the Mainland China.
RoadShow Creations Ltd
RoadShow Creations Ltd manages the merchandising business of the corporation. The business includes selling of a variety of commemorative items, bus models and souvenirs.
Business
RoadShow business includes of three main areas: MMOB, Transit Network and Merchandising business. The company aims at providing their clients with an effective advertising medium, which it argues to provide repetitive high impact, low cost advertising and a large audience, the potential for consumer impulse buying and mass reach of a diversified audience.
MMOB
The Group's MMOB business includes installing, operating and maintaining equipment and LCD units in transit vehicles for the transmission of tailor-made programmes and advertisements, source programme content and marketing and selling advertising on the MMOB system.
Roadshow provides entertainment and advertisements to the passengers of public transit vehicles in Hong Kong. The programmes are broadcast daily, to an audience of around 3 million, by a series of strategically-mounted, vibration- resistant LCD monitors, each offering a 160° viewing angle, installed in over 4000 transit vehicles from KMB, Long Win Bus , Citybus and .
Each bus has 4 high resolution LCD screens, which included two 15" screens on the lower deck and two 17" screens on the upper deck. Audio bus TV broadcasts one-hour pre-recorded VCD programmes 16-18 times a day. The audio of the television broadcasts is delivered via 15 public speakers that line both sides of the passageways on the two decks with four-channel stereo systems.
Transit network
Another business of RoadShow is advertising on the transit vehicle exterior or transit vehicle shelters. The advertisements make use of the visibility of transit vehicles or vehicle shelters in the street. This outdoor media platform provides over 4,200 buses with exterior panels on double deck buses together with 2,500 bus shelters panels for display of advertising space.
Transit Vehicle Exteriors
The advertising on the transit vehicle exterior is produced from a high resolution vinyl which can be visible from distance by pedestrians. Transit vehicle exterior advertising includes advertisements on the entire transit vehicle body as well as on panels on the sides and back of the transit vehicle. The vinyl displays are able to withstand the rigors of cleaning and all types of weather, and they can also be removed without harming the paint on the transit vehicle through the use of a special adhesive.
Transit Vehicle Shelters
While major transit vehicle shelters are traditional shelters, there are increasingly modern transit vehicle shelters constructed of lightweight stainless steel providing comfort to waiting passengers and also an advertising medium to advertisers.
Transit vehicle shelter panels mostly have two sides, both of which can display advertisements. The back of the panels is illuminated to highlight the advertisements and to reach both the vehicular and the pedestrian audiences. Advertisements for display in transit vehicle shelters consist of posters supplied by the advertiser.
Future Product Developments
Bus stop stations called Cyber bus stops are interactive computer terminals locating at certain transit vehicle shelters along major routes as well as inside major transit vehicle terminals. Passengers and pedestrians can access to route information and website via touch-screen display panels.
Merchandising
RoadShow merchandising business sells a variety of commemorative items, bus models and souvenirs with the KMB logo. The bus models sold are with special livery and replicate buses operated by Kowloon Motor Bus. These souvenirs are popular among both the public and collectors. Public can purchase the items by using the e-purchase system for instant shopping, or visiting the Kowloon Motor Bus Customer Service Centres in person and choose. All of the bus models are limited editions and attract collectors.
Business in Mainland China
RoadShow began operating on the Mainland in 2002 when it gained the rights to display advertising at the "Lamplight Rainbow" Tunnel on Huahai Road in Shanghai . Subsequently, its assets grew to include bus bodies, bus shelters and telephone booths in Beijing , Guangzhou and Shenzhen . It also began offering advertising agency services for the Guangzhou Metro mass transit system and outdoor media assets in other regions such as Tianjin, Chengdu and Xi'an.
Programming
Recently all of the RoadShow's programmes are prepared in a . There are 3 different versions of VCD available in the 4,000 buses. There is a certain pattern in distributing different versions of disc, which version A and B will be available in 1,200 buses respectively and version C for 1,600 buses. All discs are distributed on a daily, random and rotational basis over the fleet.
Apart from TV advertisements, a number of programme segments have been introduced to RoadShow's programme development. These segments are not only produced by the production team of RoadShow, but also from independent production bodies and other local and non-local media agencies .
In September 2001, RoadShow and ATV have agreed to become strategic partners and struck a 3-year deal that entitles RoadShow the exclusive right to show ATV programme highlights. TV drama highlights, weekly news summary, game show as well as infotainment programmes have been aired on RoadShow. In addition, RTHK is now providing programme content freely to RoadShow as well.
RoadShow also co-operates with other organizations and companies to produce programmes. For example, the programme ''Weekends Game Review'', which introduces new PC games, is a co-product by RoadShow and Cross Media, a Hong Kong publication company. Besides, RoadShow also sponsors some outdoor activities, like concerts, and broadcasts the behind-the-scenes footage.
The content of segments can be categorized in the following classification.
Type
* Cartoon
* Celebrity Chat
* Family and Health
* iClub Interactive Game
* Infotainment
* Lifestyle
* Music and Movie
* News and Current Affairs
* Science
* Society, Education and Community
* Special
* Sports and Recreation
* Travelogue
Most of the RoadShow's programmes are in with Chinese language subtitles. But increasingly there are more and programmes available for passengers.
Future Development on Programming
KMB is now undertaking an experimental project to introduce the Global Positioning System on bus tracking and bus fleet management. Apart from the traffic management purpose, the usage of GPS on the fleet can also provide real time information to RoadShow, which means that real time news, weather and traffic information will be available in RoadShow in the future.
However, in dense urban areas with congested high-rise buildings, the satellite signals to the GPS receiver are often blocked and the accuracy of the results adversely affected. KMB claims that GPS would only be installed to the whole fleet until the problem is solved.
Advertisement
MMOB serves as a mobile podium for advertising in Hong Kong. Its special feature is to provide a large number of passengers with frequent broadcasting on advertisements, those mobile advertisements can arouse consumers' impromptu intention on shopping. It is a popular channel for companies to promote their products for different reasons:
* When people watch television at home they are often engaged in other activities. They are sometimes eating, looking after their children, knitting, cooking etc. In this way watching television becomes a secondary activity. But at the bus the consumers don't have a lot of other activities to engage in. Here, watching television becomes a primary activity.
* By choosing bus-routes for their commercials, advertisers can easily identify consumers traveling to shopping centers and entertainment venues on transit vehicles. They are on their way to spend money and will easily recall the information given by the advertisers while they are shopping.
In addition to MMOB services, RoadShow also served as the agency in managing a number of outdoor advertisements on exterior of buses and in bus shelter panels in Greater China Region.
Advertising on RoadShow MMOB
Claimed as a mobile advertising media with large audience base, RoadShow provides different plans for their clients to place commercials. Price varies from the length of the commercial as well as the number of buses involved.
Movement against RoadShow
A Captive Audience
The main argument against MMOB argues the fact that the travellers cannot turn off the programs, turn down the volume or change channel. This implies that they cannot skip the commercials. Public transport franchises enjoy "monopoly" over many routes. Many passengers have no real alternative means of transport. The term "captive audience" is repeated. Human brain cannot ignore sound or vision. RoadShow's website describes bus television as "a highly effective multi-media advertising platform that pushes your products and services to reach a mass audience in a captive environment".
On the other side, there are passengers who welcome MMOB. Especially short-distance travellers, welcome the free infotainment. By short-distance travellers, it means travellers who travel for less than 10 minutes. Others supporting bus television believe that the income from commercials will ultimately help to reduce pressure on fare increase and ensure more efficient public bus services.
Anti-bus TV Noise Groups
The introduction of this "Multi-media On Board" on franchised public transport is controversial.
Members of the public and newspaper columnists have complained in the media about the problems of noise pollution, ubiquitous commercialism, exploitation of passengers' captive situation, abuse of public transport franchises, and the lack of options for passengers who prefer not to watch or listen to television broadcasts.
The installation of commercial TV services in buses was met with opposition from its beginning. The opposition came from passengers who found the noise from commercial broadcasting on buses disturbing. A concern group called '''' was formed on 4 May 2002. It aims to reduce passenger annoyance from bus TV. Prior to the establishment of HTB, what later became members of it lobbied against multi-media advertising on public transport under the ban of the ''''. Members have met with government officials, legislators and executives of the bus companies. HTB has managed to continue to interact with its supporters and is persistent in its lobbying work. But in the main it has remained a minority. It has been argued that its activities highlight the weak power of environmental or civic groups contra profit-making corporations.
Also there is '''', which is supported by Hong Kong Consumer Advocates, established to protect kids from being captured by the broadcast of TV on public bus. They conduct surveys on buses and report the data on websites and they expose the flaw of why the bus companies so eager to run bus TV. They advocate safe and fair public transportation facilities in Hong Kong.
They claim that Bus TV violate riders' rights to freedom of choice. And while some advertisements, content of the programmes might have:
* violence
* debasing music
* movies not suitable for children
* adult movies
* boring talk show
* superstitious talk show
* aggressively pushing products and services
* manipulative ads
which can bring great harms to people especially children.
They claim that Roadshow has interrupted their freedom as there are:
* no on-off switch
* no remote control
* no option not to be bothered
Awards
* 2005
** Caring Company Award 2004/05
** Gold Award for Cover Photo/ Design
** Honors Award for Non-Traditional Annual Report
RoadShow received the Caring Company Award of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for four consecutive years from 2002 to 2005.
RoadShow was recognised for its efforts in caring for the community and commitment to good corporate citizenship through disseminating community
service messages and broadcasting public educational programmes via MMOB.
* 2004
** Gold Award for Overall Annual Report
** Caring Company Award 2003/04
** Champion Award in the 15th Hong Kong Print Awards in the Annual Report category
** Awards of Annual Reports Competition 2004
RoadShow received the Gold Award for Overall Annual Reports in the media company category from the International Academy Awards of Annual Reports Competition 2004. The competition is hosted annually by the New York-based MerComm Inc
* 2003
** Gold Award for Cover Design
** Silver Award for Non-Traditional Annual Report
RoadShow received the Gold Award for Cover Photo/Design and Silver Award for Non-traditional Annual Reports from the International Academy Awards of Annual Reports Competition in 2003.
RoadShow also received several awards between 2001 and 2002.
Directors and Executive Members
* Chairman and Non-Executive Director: ''Mr John Chan Cho Chak''
* Deputy chairman and Non-Executive Director: ''Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam''
* Group Managing Director: ''Ms Winnie J Ng''
* Director: '' Mr Mak Chun Keung''
* Director and Chief Operations Officer: ''Ms Amanda Lui Yee Fai''
* Chief Programme Officer: ''Mr Yeung Chun-yiu''
* Chief Financial Officer: ''Mr Thomas Mak Hing Keung''
Other MMOBs in Hong Kong
*FirsTVision Now is under controlled by RoadShow.
*Newsline Express
In March 2005, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation and i-CABLE Communications Limited announced the launching of "Newsline Express" on board the KCR trains. News information and advertisement will be delivered to passengers through the existing Passenger Information Display System on trains.
In MTR, there are LCD giving advertisements to customers.
It is looking forwards that MMOBs will become widespread in HK and it will be a great business.
Radio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio , and produces television programs that are then broadcast through the local television stations in Hong Kong. While it is government funded, it is noted as a "strident government critic". RTHK produces and broadcasts educational, entertainment and public affairs programmes. There has been debate of whether or not transform the station into a public corporation.
In 1928, the Hong Kong Government took over radio broadcasting and launched the first broadcasts in June under the call-sign of GOW. A year later, the call sign was changed from GOW to ZBW. Mr. N. L. Smith, the then-Postmaster General, was appointed the first ever Head of Radio Broadcasting in Hong Kong. However, the first news bulletins were not broadcast until 1934. During the same year, a Chinese language channel was established under the call sign ZEK. Finally in 1948, the call-signs ZBW and ZEK were abandoned and replaced by the single name "Radio Hong Kong" .
Broadcasting operations were taken over by the Government Information Services in 1949. The same year, the station moved from Gloucester Building in to the headquarters of Cable & Wireless, Electra House , where it took over the sixth and seventh floors as studios, offices and concert hall space. In 1954, RHK was established as a department in its own right, becoming independent of GIS.
In 1960, RHK introduced VHF/ transmissions of both its Chinese and English channels, operating from a single transmitting mast on Mount Gough overlooking Victoria Harbour.
Until 1966, the station was on-air only for three periods each day, morning, lunchtime, and evening partly because many of the broadcasters were part-time freelancers who had to fit their radio appearances into their normal daily working schedule.
In 1969 the station's transmitting station was moved from a waterfront site in Hung Hom to the summit of Golden Hill in the New Territories near Shatin. Although the new transmitters were much more powerful, the mountain-top site proved unsuitable for medium wave transmissions and reception in some areas has remained problematic ever since.
In March 1969 operations moved to new purpose-built studios, Broadcasting House at Broadcast Drive in Kowloon Tong. This building had originally been designed for a hillside site in Pokfulam on Hong Kong Island, but the new location was chosen as more secure for all the radio and television stations following the Cultural Revolution-inspired riots of 1967. There is a cafe at Broadcasting House open to the public.
A Public Affairs Television Unit was established in 1970 to produce TV programmes that the independent commercial stations were – and still are – required to broadcast under the terms of their licences. RTHK has no television broadcast transmitters of its own.
RTHK was finally permitted to set up its own radio newsroom in 1973. Until then, all news was prepared by GIS staff. Until 1969 headlines were sent to the studios every half hour by teleprinter from the GIS headquarters in Central District, while the three daily full bulletins were delivered by hand by a messenger who carried them across Central District. This arrangement became impractical following the move to the new studios in 1969, so initially a GIS newsroom was set up in Broadcasting House. This arrangement also proved unsatisfactory and RHK's own journalists, who until then had been confined to producing magazine programmes, took over the entire news operation.
In 1976, the station's name was changed to "Radio Television Hong Kong" to reflect its new involvement in television programme production. In the same year, RTHK started to produce educational television programmes for schools after absorbing the previously independent Educational Television Unit. In 1986, RTHK TV headquarters moved across the road to the former Commercial Television studios, which were renamed Television House. The station's first News and Financial News channel, Radio 7, was established in November 1989. In 1994 the radio and television programmes were put online on the RTHK website.
RTHK operates seven radio :
Radio 1 is a radio channel that is about new, or sometimes even the rates of banks or other info about the market etc.
Radio 2 is mainly for new and popular contents like cantopop, fun and entertainment etc.
Radio 6 A great channel for foreign listeners, and also Chinese listeners because there are a variety of programmes that teaches English phrases.
RTHK produces public affairs radio programmes which are broadcast by three commercial radio three FM channels and three AM channels,
* RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards
RTHK produces public affairs s which are broadcasted by Hong Kong's three commercial television channels, TVB, and . These programmes include ''Hong Kong Connection'' , ''A Week in Politics'' , ''Media Watch'' and ''Police Report'' .
RTHK also produces TV dramas, including the classic Below the Lion Rock .However, RTHK does not operate its own television channel.
RTHK is responsible for producing programs for Educational Television for primary and secondary students. ETV was first broadcasted in 1971 for Primary 3 students and was extended to Primary 6 students in 1974. In 1978, it had been extended to cover junior secondary students.
While school programs covering the topics of English, Chinese, Mathematics and Putonghua are provided to both primary and secondary students, Science and Humanities programs are only provided for secondary school students and General Studies programs are only designed for primary students.
Since the need for instructional TV program declines with the development of the internet and other educational media, broadcasting of school ETV programs will be terminated in 2008.
There has been confusion between ETV and the ETV division of RTHK. Besides school ETV programs, the ETV division of RTHK produces many public education TV programs for general viewers, such as the Road Back , Anti-Drug Special , Sex Education , Doctor and You .
The RTHK website, named as RTHK on Internet, was launched in December 1994. The website is presented in English, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. All seven of RTHK's radio channels and TV productions are broadcast live over the Internet. 12-month online programme and news archives are also available. Online news is available for free via e-mail 3 times per day, as well as providing PDA and podcast-downloadable versions. Original web contents include: e-Learning channel, Culture Web, Chinese Culture Channel, Classics Channel etc.
The RTHK Service Hotline provides information via telephone at +852 22720000. The free hotline provides various services such as live relay of all RTHK channels and meetings, the recordings of news summaries and news bulletins etc.
RTHK enjoys editorial independence. Unlike some of the very well established and respected public broadcasters such as the BBC and NHK, which are primarily funded via a system, RTHK is funded directly by an annual government allocation, and operates as a department of the . The concern is whether RTHK has enough editorial independence.
There was controversy in 2000 when then Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa admitted in a public statement that he hoped RTHK would help in sending out the government's messages. Even though this dealt a blow to RTHK's credibility, it has managed to retain its image as an independent news organisation reporting purely in the public's interest.
On other hand, there has been local argument whether RTHK should be corporatised. Proponents of the idea argued for RTHK to become an independent corporation, separate from the government, so that it could achieve more flexibility, and more cost-efficiency in its operation.
The ultimate concern is whether RTHK has enough editorial independence for a public broadcaster. One of the examples was the suspected intervention in RTHK's press freedom in July 1999. After inviting Cheng An-kuo , the highest representative of the "Taiwanese authority" in Hong Kong, to discuss the issue of the separation of China and Taiwan and Lee Teng-hui's "two states theory", RTHK was condemned by pro-mainland China critics.
Then in October that year, the Head of Radio Broadcasting, Ms. Cheung Man Yee was transferred to Japan as the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative in Tokyo for no obvious reason.
However, there are cases where RTHK's editorial independence has been fully exemplified. There was one episode in ''Letter to Hong Kong'' was rescheduled for another more timely and newsworthy one. The switch had been made possible by a prompt editorial decision.
Another case was a recent survey of the Hong Kong media conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Journalism and Communication, which placed RTHK in first place amongst the electronic media in terms of credibility. RTHK achieved second place overall when all the local newspapers and magazines were included.
RTHK has been nothing short of scandals in recent years. In 2002, former chief programme officer, Richard Yip-fat Tsang, was convicted of misconduct in public office. The charges related to approving salary increases for two RTHK employees without complying with procedures.
On 8 June 2006, local English newspaper The Standard reported the Independent Commission Against Corruption arrested four people including a disc jockey and a deputy head on corruption-related charges. David Ho Chung-yan, a deputy head of RTHK 2 and disc jockey Vera Lee, were arrested for committing scams totaling about HK $70,000 from 1995 to 2001. They were alleged to have conspired and charged for writing scripts for various programmes that they did not write. Another former disc jockey and her mother were alleged to have aided the conspiracy by using their bank accounts by receiving payments from the radio station. All four were arrested and were released on bail.
RTHK was also criticized by the Audit Commission of the Hong Kong Government for its problems on complying with regulations on staff management. The report especially highlighted the misuse of public funds by the RTHK staff on entertainment expenses, overtime claims and the outsourcing of services.
However, the sex scandal involving the Director of Broadcasting has been widely considered to be the most damaging and the worst scandal in RTHK's history.
In July 2007, former head of RTHK and Director of Broadcasting, Mr. Chu Pui Hing was accidentally spotted by a group of journalists, while leaving a 'private club house' in Causeway Bay along with an unidentified female. Those journalists were actually waiting for veteran rock singer Kenny Bee who was having meal with his music crew and friends nearby when they met Mr. Chu head-to-head.
Mr. Chu appeared to be drunk and after he found out there was a group of journalists taking photos of him and his companion, he reacted disconcertingly by hiding behind her back. Photos became the main page headlines in some of the major Hong Kong newspapers the following day with some purported that the female companion, who was later identified as Coco, was a prostitute.
Mr. Chu, who was one year due to his official retirement from the government, subsequently decided to seek for 'early retirement' in the aftermath.
History
In 1928, the Hong Kong Government took over radio broadcasting and launched the first broadcasts in June under the call-sign of GOW. A year later, the call sign was changed from GOW to ZBW. Mr. N. L. Smith, the then-Postmaster General, was appointed the first ever Head of Radio Broadcasting in Hong Kong. However, the first news bulletins were not broadcast until 1934. During the same year, a Chinese language channel was established under the call sign ZEK. Finally in 1948, the call-signs ZBW and ZEK were abandoned and replaced by the single name "Radio Hong Kong" .
Broadcasting operations were taken over by the Government Information Services in 1949. The same year, the station moved from Gloucester Building in to the headquarters of Cable & Wireless, Electra House , where it took over the sixth and seventh floors as studios, offices and concert hall space. In 1954, RHK was established as a department in its own right, becoming independent of GIS.
In 1960, RHK introduced VHF/ transmissions of both its Chinese and English channels, operating from a single transmitting mast on Mount Gough overlooking Victoria Harbour.
Until 1966, the station was on-air only for three periods each day, morning, lunchtime, and evening partly because many of the broadcasters were part-time freelancers who had to fit their radio appearances into their normal daily working schedule.
In 1969 the station's transmitting station was moved from a waterfront site in Hung Hom to the summit of Golden Hill in the New Territories near Shatin. Although the new transmitters were much more powerful, the mountain-top site proved unsuitable for medium wave transmissions and reception in some areas has remained problematic ever since.
In March 1969 operations moved to new purpose-built studios, Broadcasting House at Broadcast Drive in Kowloon Tong. This building had originally been designed for a hillside site in Pokfulam on Hong Kong Island, but the new location was chosen as more secure for all the radio and television stations following the Cultural Revolution-inspired riots of 1967. There is a cafe at Broadcasting House open to the public.
A Public Affairs Television Unit was established in 1970 to produce TV programmes that the independent commercial stations were – and still are – required to broadcast under the terms of their licences. RTHK has no television broadcast transmitters of its own.
RTHK was finally permitted to set up its own radio newsroom in 1973. Until then, all news was prepared by GIS staff. Until 1969 headlines were sent to the studios every half hour by teleprinter from the GIS headquarters in Central District, while the three daily full bulletins were delivered by hand by a messenger who carried them across Central District. This arrangement became impractical following the move to the new studios in 1969, so initially a GIS newsroom was set up in Broadcasting House. This arrangement also proved unsatisfactory and RHK's own journalists, who until then had been confined to producing magazine programmes, took over the entire news operation.
In 1976, the station's name was changed to "Radio Television Hong Kong" to reflect its new involvement in television programme production. In the same year, RTHK started to produce educational television programmes for schools after absorbing the previously independent Educational Television Unit. In 1986, RTHK TV headquarters moved across the road to the former Commercial Television studios, which were renamed Television House. The station's first News and Financial News channel, Radio 7, was established in November 1989. In 1994 the radio and television programmes were put online on the RTHK website.
Radio channels
RTHK operates seven radio :
Radio features
Radio 1 is a radio channel that is about new, or sometimes even the rates of banks or other info about the market etc.
Radio 2 is mainly for new and popular contents like cantopop, fun and entertainment etc.
Radio 6 A great channel for foreign listeners, and also Chinese listeners because there are a variety of programmes that teaches English phrases.
Radio programmes
RTHK produces public affairs radio programmes which are broadcast by three commercial radio three FM channels and three AM channels,
* RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards
Television programmes
RTHK produces public affairs s which are broadcasted by Hong Kong's three commercial television channels, TVB, and . These programmes include ''Hong Kong Connection'' , ''A Week in Politics'' , ''Media Watch'' and ''Police Report'' .
RTHK also produces TV dramas, including the classic Below the Lion Rock .However, RTHK does not operate its own television channel.
ETV
RTHK is responsible for producing programs for Educational Television for primary and secondary students. ETV was first broadcasted in 1971 for Primary 3 students and was extended to Primary 6 students in 1974. In 1978, it had been extended to cover junior secondary students.
While school programs covering the topics of English, Chinese, Mathematics and Putonghua are provided to both primary and secondary students, Science and Humanities programs are only provided for secondary school students and General Studies programs are only designed for primary students.
Since the need for instructional TV program declines with the development of the internet and other educational media, broadcasting of school ETV programs will be terminated in 2008.
There has been confusion between ETV and the ETV division of RTHK. Besides school ETV programs, the ETV division of RTHK produces many public education TV programs for general viewers, such as the Road Back , Anti-Drug Special , Sex Education , Doctor and You .
Web site
The RTHK website, named as RTHK on Internet, was launched in December 1994. The website is presented in English, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. All seven of RTHK's radio channels and TV productions are broadcast live over the Internet. 12-month online programme and news archives are also available. Online news is available for free via e-mail 3 times per day, as well as providing PDA and podcast-downloadable versions. Original web contents include: e-Learning channel, Culture Web, Chinese Culture Channel, Classics Channel etc.
RTHK service hotline
The RTHK Service Hotline provides information via telephone at +852 22720000. The free hotline provides various services such as live relay of all RTHK channels and meetings, the recordings of news summaries and news bulletins etc.
Public concern over the independence of RTHK
RTHK enjoys editorial independence. Unlike some of the very well established and respected public broadcasters such as the BBC and NHK, which are primarily funded via a system, RTHK is funded directly by an annual government allocation, and operates as a department of the . The concern is whether RTHK has enough editorial independence.
There was controversy in 2000 when then Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hwa admitted in a public statement that he hoped RTHK would help in sending out the government's messages. Even though this dealt a blow to RTHK's credibility, it has managed to retain its image as an independent news organisation reporting purely in the public's interest.
On other hand, there has been local argument whether RTHK should be corporatised. Proponents of the idea argued for RTHK to become an independent corporation, separate from the government, so that it could achieve more flexibility, and more cost-efficiency in its operation.
The ultimate concern is whether RTHK has enough editorial independence for a public broadcaster. One of the examples was the suspected intervention in RTHK's press freedom in July 1999. After inviting Cheng An-kuo , the highest representative of the "Taiwanese authority" in Hong Kong, to discuss the issue of the separation of China and Taiwan and Lee Teng-hui's "two states theory", RTHK was condemned by pro-mainland China critics.
Then in October that year, the Head of Radio Broadcasting, Ms. Cheung Man Yee was transferred to Japan as the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative in Tokyo for no obvious reason.
However, there are cases where RTHK's editorial independence has been fully exemplified. There was one episode in ''Letter to Hong Kong'' was rescheduled for another more timely and newsworthy one. The switch had been made possible by a prompt editorial decision.
Another case was a recent survey of the Hong Kong media conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Journalism and Communication, which placed RTHK in first place amongst the electronic media in terms of credibility. RTHK achieved second place overall when all the local newspapers and magazines were included.
Sex scandal involving head of RTHK
RTHK has been nothing short of scandals in recent years. In 2002, former chief programme officer, Richard Yip-fat Tsang, was convicted of misconduct in public office. The charges related to approving salary increases for two RTHK employees without complying with procedures.
On 8 June 2006, local English newspaper The Standard reported the Independent Commission Against Corruption arrested four people including a disc jockey and a deputy head on corruption-related charges. David Ho Chung-yan, a deputy head of RTHK 2 and disc jockey Vera Lee, were arrested for committing scams totaling about HK $70,000 from 1995 to 2001. They were alleged to have conspired and charged for writing scripts for various programmes that they did not write. Another former disc jockey and her mother were alleged to have aided the conspiracy by using their bank accounts by receiving payments from the radio station. All four were arrested and were released on bail.
RTHK was also criticized by the Audit Commission of the Hong Kong Government for its problems on complying with regulations on staff management. The report especially highlighted the misuse of public funds by the RTHK staff on entertainment expenses, overtime claims and the outsourcing of services.
However, the sex scandal involving the Director of Broadcasting has been widely considered to be the most damaging and the worst scandal in RTHK's history.
In July 2007, former head of RTHK and Director of Broadcasting, Mr. Chu Pui Hing was accidentally spotted by a group of journalists, while leaving a 'private club house' in Causeway Bay along with an unidentified female. Those journalists were actually waiting for veteran rock singer Kenny Bee who was having meal with his music crew and friends nearby when they met Mr. Chu head-to-head.
Mr. Chu appeared to be drunk and after he found out there was a group of journalists taking photos of him and his companion, he reacted disconcertingly by hiding behind her back. Photos became the main page headlines in some of the major Hong Kong newspapers the following day with some purported that the female companion, who was later identified as Coco, was a prostitute.
Mr. Chu, who was one year due to his official retirement from the government, subsequently decided to seek for 'early retirement' in the aftermath.
Next Media
Next Media Limited , founded by serial entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, has more than 3,600 employees and is the largest-listed media company in Hong Kong.
Lai has built a company culture of transparency and creativity without hierarchy. Employees are encouraged to tackle challenges through trial and error while assuming responsibility for their actions and sharing in profits from success.
Subdivisions include Next Media Interactive. The corporation is known for introducing tabloid-style journalist into Hong Kong and Taiwan that set trends in both markets. Apple Daily was the first newspaper to use the massive graphics, bold headlines and full colour pages now common to all best-selling papers in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Next Media publications are also known for highly academic articles which attract a wide range of readers, including critics. Next Media has often taken a clear and sometimes proactive support for democratic groups in Hong Kong. Some companies with ties to the government of China never advertise in any papers or magazines owned by Next Media.
The bold style of journalism seems to trigger constant troubles with the with incidents of criminal damages at the offices of Next Media. Apple Daily and its parent company Next Media are thought to be pioneer of paparazzi and yellow Journalism in Hong Kong. A recent notable incident happened last year when Gillian Chung, a member of singing group Twins , was shot changing clothes at the backstage by spy camera installed by a subsidy magazine of Next Media. The case triggered debated over paparazzi acts in Hong Kong and regulation of paparazzi was considered.
* ''Apple Daily'' - Published daily, one of Hong Kong's largest circulation newspapers.
* ''Next Magazine'' - Published on Wednesday evenings, one of Hong Kong's largest circulation news and entertainment magazines.
* ''Easy Finder'' - A teen focussed entertainment magazine.
Monday Book - A set of four magazines sold together for HK$12 on Monday mornings that are more thematically male and commerce focussed.
* ''Face'' - Gossip, entertainment and fashion
* ''Ketchup'' - Gadgets, gaming and mobile
* ''JobFinder'' - Jobs and recruitment magazine
* ''AutoExpress'' - Used cars, auto insurance, dating advertisements, car license plates for sale.
* ''Trading Express'' - Classified ads for products, small companies, second-hand watches.
Friday Book - A set of three magazines sold together for HK$12 on Friday mornings that are more thematically female and leisure focussed.
* ''Eat and Travel Weekly'' -
* ''Sudden Weekly'' - Women-oriented entertainment magazine.
* ''Me'' - A cosmetics and fashion magazine.
The Atnext.com network is the #1 online Chinese new, information and current events portal from Hong Kong and reaches more than 2 million users per month, audited by Neilsen//Netratings.
* atnext.com - Homepage and entry point for the publications
Publication websites
* Apple Daily Online - Site for the daily newspaper
* Next Magazine - Site for the weekly news magazine
* Sudden Weekly - Site for the weekly entertainment magazine
* Face magazine - Site for the weekly teen and young adult magazine
* Eat and Travel - Site for the weekly leisure magazine
Vertical/community portals
In addition to original exclusive content and social networking tools, these sites aggregate content from all other sites.
* - Female focused portal with strong community
* - Traveler site
* - education guide for students of all levels
* - Car vertical covering auto reviews and more
* - lifestyle guide on everyday city living
* - a subscription-based horse racing guide focused on HK and Macau races
* - soccer fan’s guide to everything soccer
* - a vertical channel provide rich information on medical and health
* ''Apple Daily '' - Published daily, one of Taiwan's largest circulation newspapers
* ''Sharp Daily'' - A free daily newspaper
* ''Next Magazine'' - Published on weekly, one of Taiwan's largest circulation news and entertainment magazines
* ''Me!'' - A weekly magazine
Publication websites
*
*
*
Vertical/community portals
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
The top management committee of the company is the Board. The Board is responsible for overseeing the successful of Next Media and devising the company’s future strategy. The Board delegates the running of Next Media’s day-to-day operations to carefully chosen Executive Directors and Senior Management. The Board looks to the Management to ensure it appraised of all significant developments that may affect the company and its operations.
There are four committees established by the Board, granted for different kinds of duties.
*Executive Directors: for the purpose of approving issues and allotment of shares
*Audit Committee: mainly to assist the Board in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the external auditor’s qualifications and independence; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and external auditors.
*Remuneration Committee; to review and develop policies in relation to the remuneration of directors and senior management of the Company; to make recommendations to the Board from time to time as may be necessary in relation to such policies.
*Ad hoc Sub-committee; made up of the financial heads of all major operation subsidiaries.
Apple Daily Limited
Apple Daily Online Limited
Apple Daily Printing Limited
Cameron Printing Company Limited
Database Gateway Limited
Easy Finder Limited
Easy Finder Hong Kong Marketing Limited
Easy Media Limited
Eat and Travel Weekly Company Limited
Next Magazine Advertising Limited
Next Magazine Publishing Limited
Next Media Group Management Limited
Next Media Hong Kong/Publication Publishing Limited
Paramount Printing Company Limited
Rainbow Graphic & Printing Company Limited
Sudden Weekly Limited
Lai has built a company culture of transparency and creativity without hierarchy. Employees are encouraged to tackle challenges through trial and error while assuming responsibility for their actions and sharing in profits from success.
Subdivisions include Next Media Interactive. The corporation is known for introducing tabloid-style journalist into Hong Kong and Taiwan that set trends in both markets. Apple Daily was the first newspaper to use the massive graphics, bold headlines and full colour pages now common to all best-selling papers in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Next Media publications are also known for highly academic articles which attract a wide range of readers, including critics. Next Media has often taken a clear and sometimes proactive support for democratic groups in Hong Kong. Some companies with ties to the government of China never advertise in any papers or magazines owned by Next Media.
The bold style of journalism seems to trigger constant troubles with the with incidents of criminal damages at the offices of Next Media. Apple Daily and its parent company Next Media are thought to be pioneer of paparazzi and yellow Journalism in Hong Kong. A recent notable incident happened last year when Gillian Chung, a member of singing group Twins , was shot changing clothes at the backstage by spy camera installed by a subsidy magazine of Next Media. The case triggered debated over paparazzi acts in Hong Kong and regulation of paparazzi was considered.
Hong Kong Publications
* ''Apple Daily'' - Published daily, one of Hong Kong's largest circulation newspapers.
* ''Next Magazine'' - Published on Wednesday evenings, one of Hong Kong's largest circulation news and entertainment magazines.
* ''Easy Finder'' - A teen focussed entertainment magazine.
Monday Book - A set of four magazines sold together for HK$12 on Monday mornings that are more thematically male and commerce focussed.
* ''Face'' - Gossip, entertainment and fashion
* ''Ketchup'' - Gadgets, gaming and mobile
* ''JobFinder'' - Jobs and recruitment magazine
* ''AutoExpress'' - Used cars, auto insurance, dating advertisements, car license plates for sale.
* ''Trading Express'' - Classified ads for products, small companies, second-hand watches.
Friday Book - A set of three magazines sold together for HK$12 on Friday mornings that are more thematically female and leisure focussed.
* ''Eat and Travel Weekly'' -
* ''Sudden Weekly'' - Women-oriented entertainment magazine.
* ''Me'' - A cosmetics and fashion magazine.
Hong Kong Websites
The Atnext.com network is the #1 online Chinese new, information and current events portal from Hong Kong and reaches more than 2 million users per month, audited by Neilsen//Netratings.
* atnext.com - Homepage and entry point for the publications
Publication websites
* Apple Daily Online - Site for the daily newspaper
* Next Magazine - Site for the weekly news magazine
* Sudden Weekly - Site for the weekly entertainment magazine
* Face magazine - Site for the weekly teen and young adult magazine
* Eat and Travel - Site for the weekly leisure magazine
Vertical/community portals
In addition to original exclusive content and social networking tools, these sites aggregate content from all other sites.
* - Female focused portal with strong community
* - Traveler site
* - education guide for students of all levels
* - Car vertical covering auto reviews and more
* - lifestyle guide on everyday city living
* - a subscription-based horse racing guide focused on HK and Macau races
* - soccer fan’s guide to everything soccer
* - a vertical channel provide rich information on medical and health
Taiwan Publications
* ''Apple Daily '' - Published daily, one of Taiwan's largest circulation newspapers
* ''Sharp Daily'' - A free daily newspaper
* ''Next Magazine'' - Published on weekly, one of Taiwan's largest circulation news and entertainment magazines
* ''Me!'' - A weekly magazine
Taiwan Websites
Publication websites
*
*
*
Vertical/community portals
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Structure of Next Media
The top management committee of the company is the Board. The Board is responsible for overseeing the successful of Next Media and devising the company’s future strategy. The Board delegates the running of Next Media’s day-to-day operations to carefully chosen Executive Directors and Senior Management. The Board looks to the Management to ensure it appraised of all significant developments that may affect the company and its operations.
There are four committees established by the Board, granted for different kinds of duties.
*Executive Directors: for the purpose of approving issues and allotment of shares
*Audit Committee: mainly to assist the Board in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the external auditor’s qualifications and independence; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and external auditors.
*Remuneration Committee; to review and develop policies in relation to the remuneration of directors and senior management of the Company; to make recommendations to the Board from time to time as may be necessary in relation to such policies.
*Ad hoc Sub-committee; made up of the financial heads of all major operation subsidiaries.
Subsidiaries
Apple Daily Limited
Apple Daily Online Limited
Apple Daily Printing Limited
Cameron Printing Company Limited
Database Gateway Limited
Easy Finder Limited
Easy Finder Hong Kong Marketing Limited
Easy Media Limited
Eat and Travel Weekly Company Limited
Next Magazine Advertising Limited
Next Magazine Publishing Limited
Next Media Group Management Limited
Next Media Hong Kong/Publication Publishing Limited
Paramount Printing Company Limited
Rainbow Graphic & Printing Company Limited
Sudden Weekly Limited
Newsline Express
Newsline Express is a service on MTR trains which provides Cable TV news and infotainment programmes. It was started in 2005 and is now equipped on every train compartment running on , and . trains of East Rail are equipped with wider LCD TVs , while the rest on is smaller .
The rates for advertising are 10 seconds for HK$20,000 and the advertising receives over one million views per day.
The TVs for Newsline Express are sometimes criticized for being too noisy that their broadcasts can even be heard in the quiet car of the train.
The rates for advertising are 10 seconds for HK$20,000 and the advertising receives over one million views per day.
Criticism
The TVs for Newsline Express are sometimes criticized for being too noisy that their broadcasts can even be heard in the quiet car of the train.
Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited
Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited is one of the three broadcasting corporations in Hong Kong, the others being the and Radio Television Hong Kong . Metro was founded in July 1991 and under the Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong Limited and Hutchison Whampoa Limited now.
Metro Radio Hong Kong consists of 3 radio channels; Metro Finance , Metro Showbiz and Metro Plus . These services provide audiences with instantaneous online audio and visual programming. Metro also cooperates with a prominent mobile phone services provider, 3 Mobile, to offer multimedia broadcasting service through mobile phones. In addition, Metro's website offers eSHOP-an online platform for audiences to purchase goods on the internet.
In 2003, Metro was granted a 12-year radio broadcasting license by the Hong Kong Government in accordance with the Telecommunication Ordinance. This is due to expire in 2016.
In 1990 the Hong Kong government reformed radio broadcasting regulations, allowing the introduction of a third radio station. It released the license to Metro Radio.
In 1991 Metro Radio set up its headquarters in Site 11 Whampoa Garden Hunghom Kowloon . At that time, Metro Radio had two Chinese channels- channel FM99.7 and channel FM104 and also one English channel- AM 1044 .
In 1996 Metro Radio carried out its first major image reconstruction to publicise a strategic shift of focus from news services to entertainment. This image overhaul was most evident in a few key name changes. The names of channel FM99.7 and channel FM104 were changed to Hit Radio and FM Select respectively, and Metro News became Metro Plus.
In the same year, personal conflicts between the Metro radio executives boiled over, leading to the resignation of former leader Chan Hoi-kei , and the ascendancy to leadership of Bak wan-kam .
In 1997 due to an expansion, the head office of Metro Radio moved to Basement 2 Site 6 Whampoa Garden Hunghom Kowloon .
In 1998 continuing to make headway with its growing mainstream market, Metro Radio set up another broadcasting station in Central's The Center , Hong Kong Island.
In 2001 Metro Radio carried out its second major image reconstruction. On 22 January, it changed Hit Radio to Metro Showbiz . On 5 February, FM Select was renamed Metro Finance .
In 2004 Metro Radio attempted to make headway in the broadcasting market of the Pearl River Delta by entering into a shared programming agreement with Radio GuangDong .
On 2 January 2008, Metro Showbiz was renamed to Metroinfo . Metroinfo broadcast both entertainment and financial programs.
The CEO of Metro Radio was Kam Kwok-leung and the director of Metroinfo was Chu Ming-yui in the past.
Metro Finance started up on February 5 2001. Metro Finance delivers diverse content relating to investment funds, securities, , insurance and other information relating to financial markets in many places around the world.
Metro Finance World also organizes investment talks throughout the year. The chief executive officers of companies and investment banks or other famous financial commentators are invited to make speeches. For example, Tso, the special column writer of "Investment Diary" in the Hong Kong Economic Journal, is a leading event organizer as well as a key-note speaker in these talks. These events boast a strong turnout, topics aimed at the stockbroker in all of us such as the latest market trends are discussed, as well as investment advice for the audience. The talks are later broadcast by Metro Finance and other medium in China.
Metro Showbiz has started broadcasting the latest entertainment news hourly, 24 hours a day since January 22 2001. While it is metro's M.O to make their form of entertainment news an integral part of every listener's day their ratings and market share prove that they are doing just that in one way or another. Metro Radio has been and continues to be an industry leader in merging news and entertainment, in line with a growing trend in the international news media.
Every year Television Broadcast Limited , Commercial radio, RTHK and Metro Radio present awards to outstanding singers, composers and authors for outstanding performance in the entertainment industry. Metro Radio holds the Hit Awards annually at the end of December , which is the first award among the four. The Hit Awards gives out more than 100 different awards in categories such as hit singers and hit groups, hit songs, etc. It is Metro Showbiz' biggest event of the year since many of the most popular singers and their fans attend while also attracting widespread media coverage. However, it has been criticized of giving out awards randomly rather than basing on the singers' performance. In 2007, a music label, Gold Label, has boycotted the ceremony due to rumours about their singers going to get only a few awards.
As Hong Kong is an international cosmopolitan centre and, Metro plus AM1044 raises its standard to serve a growing international audience. It provides up to date information to listeners such as international news coverage, current affairs, entertainment, music, health, cosmetic trends, jokes and conducts interviews with celebrities. It provides listeners with a wider scope of information from every part of the world through its English channel. The Indonesian Hour, Filipino Hour and Desi Dhamaka are some of the most representational international programs available in the Hong Kong area, catering for the cities' diverse cultural heritage.
Metro Plus has developed many programs for listeners coming from all over the world, this is in line with promoting a more multi-cultural outlook. Due to such an outlook as well as contributions made to society, Metro Plus was awarded “Caring Company 2002/2003” by the Kong Council of Social Service .
Metro Radio Hong Kong consists of 3 radio channels; Metro Finance , Metro Showbiz and Metro Plus . These services provide audiences with instantaneous online audio and visual programming. Metro also cooperates with a prominent mobile phone services provider, 3 Mobile, to offer multimedia broadcasting service through mobile phones. In addition, Metro's website offers eSHOP-an online platform for audiences to purchase goods on the internet.
In 2003, Metro was granted a 12-year radio broadcasting license by the Hong Kong Government in accordance with the Telecommunication Ordinance. This is due to expire in 2016.
History
In 1990 the Hong Kong government reformed radio broadcasting regulations, allowing the introduction of a third radio station. It released the license to Metro Radio.
In 1991 Metro Radio set up its headquarters in Site 11 Whampoa Garden Hunghom Kowloon . At that time, Metro Radio had two Chinese channels- channel FM99.7 and channel FM104 and also one English channel- AM 1044 .
In 1996 Metro Radio carried out its first major image reconstruction to publicise a strategic shift of focus from news services to entertainment. This image overhaul was most evident in a few key name changes. The names of channel FM99.7 and channel FM104 were changed to Hit Radio and FM Select respectively, and Metro News became Metro Plus.
In the same year, personal conflicts between the Metro radio executives boiled over, leading to the resignation of former leader Chan Hoi-kei , and the ascendancy to leadership of Bak wan-kam .
In 1997 due to an expansion, the head office of Metro Radio moved to Basement 2 Site 6 Whampoa Garden Hunghom Kowloon .
In 1998 continuing to make headway with its growing mainstream market, Metro Radio set up another broadcasting station in Central's The Center , Hong Kong Island.
In 2001 Metro Radio carried out its second major image reconstruction. On 22 January, it changed Hit Radio to Metro Showbiz . On 5 February, FM Select was renamed Metro Finance .
In 2004 Metro Radio attempted to make headway in the broadcasting market of the Pearl River Delta by entering into a shared programming agreement with Radio GuangDong .
On 2 January 2008, Metro Showbiz was renamed to Metroinfo . Metroinfo broadcast both entertainment and financial programs.
The CEO of Metro Radio was Kam Kwok-leung and the director of Metroinfo was Chu Ming-yui in the past.
Metro finance
Metro Finance started up on February 5 2001. Metro Finance delivers diverse content relating to investment funds, securities, , insurance and other information relating to financial markets in many places around the world.
Metro Finance World also organizes investment talks throughout the year. The chief executive officers of companies and investment banks or other famous financial commentators are invited to make speeches. For example, Tso, the special column writer of "Investment Diary" in the Hong Kong Economic Journal, is a leading event organizer as well as a key-note speaker in these talks. These events boast a strong turnout, topics aimed at the stockbroker in all of us such as the latest market trends are discussed, as well as investment advice for the audience. The talks are later broadcast by Metro Finance and other medium in China.
Metro showbiz
Metro Showbiz has started broadcasting the latest entertainment news hourly, 24 hours a day since January 22 2001. While it is metro's M.O to make their form of entertainment news an integral part of every listener's day their ratings and market share prove that they are doing just that in one way or another. Metro Radio has been and continues to be an industry leader in merging news and entertainment, in line with a growing trend in the international news media.
Hit awards
Every year Television Broadcast Limited , Commercial radio, RTHK and Metro Radio present awards to outstanding singers, composers and authors for outstanding performance in the entertainment industry. Metro Radio holds the Hit Awards annually at the end of December , which is the first award among the four. The Hit Awards gives out more than 100 different awards in categories such as hit singers and hit groups, hit songs, etc. It is Metro Showbiz' biggest event of the year since many of the most popular singers and their fans attend while also attracting widespread media coverage. However, it has been criticized of giving out awards randomly rather than basing on the singers' performance. In 2007, a music label, Gold Label, has boycotted the ceremony due to rumours about their singers going to get only a few awards.
Metro plus
As Hong Kong is an international cosmopolitan centre and, Metro plus AM1044 raises its standard to serve a growing international audience. It provides up to date information to listeners such as international news coverage, current affairs, entertainment, music, health, cosmetic trends, jokes and conducts interviews with celebrities. It provides listeners with a wider scope of information from every part of the world through its English channel. The Indonesian Hour, Filipino Hour and Desi Dhamaka are some of the most representational international programs available in the Hong Kong area, catering for the cities' diverse cultural heritage.
Metro Plus has developed many programs for listeners coming from all over the world, this is in line with promoting a more multi-cultural outlook. Due to such an outlook as well as contributions made to society, Metro Plus was awarded “Caring Company 2002/2003” by the Kong Council of Social Service .
Media of Hong Kong
Media in Hong Kong are available to the public in the forms of: television and radio, newspapers, magazines and the Internet. They serve the local community by providing necessary information and entertainment.
Statutory bodies:
*Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority regulates broadcasters in Hong Kong by licensing and penalties according to the Broadcasting Regulation.
*Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority is responsible for monitoring television and radio broadcasting to secure proper standards.
*Radio Television Hong Kong, operates as an independent government department.
Non-Governmental bodies:
* was established in July 2000. The objective of the Council is to promote the professional and ethical standards of the newspaper industry, defend press freedom, and deal with public complaints against local newspapers. It is an independent organization.
Freedom of the press and publication are enshrined in Article 27 of the , Hong Kong's mini-constitution, and are also protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights under Article 39 of the Basic Law.
There is no law called "media law" in Hong Kong. Instead, the media are governed by statutory laws. In brief, there are 31 Ordinances that are directly related to mass media. Six of which are highlighted below.
*''Registration of Local Newspapers Ordinance '', provides for the registration of local newspapers and news agencies and the licensing of newspaper distributors.
*''Books Registration Ordinance '', provides for the registration and preservation of copies of books first printed, produced or published in Hong Kong.
*''Telecommunications Ordinance '', makes better provision for the licensing and control of telecommunications, telecommunications services and telecommunications apparatus and equipment.
*''Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance '' controls and classifies articles which consist of or contain material that is obscene or indecent. Obscene Articles Tribunals are established to determine whether an article is obscene or indecent.
*''Broadcasting Authority Ordinance '', provides for the establishment and functions of a Broadcasting Authority.
*''Broadcasting Ordinance '', licenses companies to provide broadcasting services and regulate the provision of broadcasting services by licensees.
The rest of the Ordinances are of less importance since they do not aim at regulating mass media, but some of their provisions do affect the operation of media organizations and also the freedom of press.
The passing of ''Bill of Rights Ordinance '' in 1986 strengthened the protection of fundamental human rights like or freedom of speech. This has been reflected in the loosening of control over mass media. Laws that violate the principle of press freedom are gradually amended. For example, section 27 of Public Order Ordinance, which criminalized the publishing of false news, was repealed in 1989.
Nonetheless, there are still concerns among the media sector that some existing laws may still undermine the freedom of the press and publication, e.g. ''Official Secrets Ordinance '' and ''Public Order Ordinance ''.
Mass media in Hong Kong is regulated by an . It guarantees that practitioners can fully utilize their creativity and professional capacity to entertain the public and pose check on the .
As a world financial centre, Hong Kong attracts mass media all over the world to set up their operations there. Apart from local media, many overseas publications can be found. Foreign broadcasting are treated like regular broadcasts.
Hong Kong media are run under commercial principles. Market force plays an important role. Ratings largely determine the income of the media organizations. "Infotainment" is often the mainstream product of mass media.
As a product of a commercial city, the media has the characteristics of other commercial institutes- prompt, responsive, quick. For example, when there is a car accident, reporters would arrive at the hospital earlier than the ambulance. The responsiveness is also demonstrated by the keen need for a scoop. In order to get a , reporters may use all their means to obtain news. Reports are often referenced with "sources said".
Government intervention of the press in Hong Kong is minimal. People are free to criticize the government. The mass media is generally independent of any political powers. The media have formed their own professional bodies, e.g. Hong Kong Journalists Association, Hong Kong News Executives' Association, to guarantee non-governmental interference. However, there is a degree of self-censorship, especially with regards to mainland China.
Apart from RTHK and a few newspapers and magazines, most of the media corporations are private-owned.
As of 2002:
*Daily newspapers: 52
**Chinese-language dailies: 25
**English-language dailies: 4
**English-language newspapers publishing 5 or 6 days a week: 8
**Bilingual dailies: 7
**Newspapers in other languages: 5
*Free-to-air commercial TV companies: 2
*Subscription TV licensees: 5
*Non-domestic television programme licensees: 12
*Government radio-television station: 1
*Commercial radio stations: 2
Most households subscribe to multichannel pay-TV. Many international and pan-Asian broadcasters are based in Hong Kong, including News Corporation's STAR TV. Hong Kong's terrestrial commercial TV networks, and , can also be seen in neighboring Guangdong Province and Macau .
*Television Broadcasts Limited - private
*Phoenix TV - private
*Asia Television Ltd - private
* - private
*Now TV - private
*HKBN bbTV - private
*Radio Television Hong Kong - government-funded
*Radio Television Hong Kong - government-funded, operates seven networks in Cantonese, Mandarin and English
*Commercial Radio - operates CR1, CR2 networks in Cantonese and mediumwave station AM 864
*Metro Radio Hong Kong - operates Metro Showbiz, Metro Finance and English-language Metro Plus
*''Cheng Ming Magazine]''
*''City Magazine'' 《號外》
*''East Touch''
*''East Week''
*''Far Eastern Economic Review''
*''''
*''HK Magazine''
*''The List Magazine
*''Next Magazine''
These are non-profit and unregulated internet radio stations operated by hobbyists and non-profit organisations. Most of these stations tend to be quite political and influential, although a variety of apolitical programs are gradually appearing in prominence.
*''Openradio Hong Kong''
*''People's Radio Hong Kong''
*''Hiradio.net''
*''WM6471.net''
*''Radio71''
*''Inmediahk.net''
*''MyRadio''
*RoadShow
*Newsline Express
*Sing Tao News Corporation Limited
*Next Media
*Videotage
Ethical studies have been conducted by four journalism groups . They could not deny the fact that the mass media were suffering decreasing respect of Hong Kong citizens. Journalism was no longer seen as a respectable profession. The public had little trust in newspapers. The news industry attributed this phenomenon to the citizens' complaints about the decreasing ethics of journalists.
The general consensus is that the news industry injects too much violence and pornography into news reporting. Victims were usually celebrities. Stories were exaggerated often violating privacy. A study was conducted by Hong Kong Journalists Association in early 2007 to find that 58.4% of journalists in Hong Kong considered that the degree of freedom of speech had decreased since the handover in 1997. Furthermore nearly 60% of the interviewed journalists also thought that more self-censorship had been practiced then than 1997.
On 19 October 1998, a woman, together with her 2 children, jumped off a tall building in Sheung Shui and died. The local media quickly turned their attention to the woman's husband, Chan Kin-hong . It was alleged that Mrs. Chan committed suicide because her husband had taken another wife from mainland China. Chan then filled the headlines of major newspapers and TV channels, being portrayed as both a disgraceful husband and a living example of trans-boundary marital problems between Hong Kong and mainland China.
During the media's wild chase of the story, the Apple Daily posted a photograph of Chan cuddling two mainland prostitutes in a hotel room. Public resentment against Chan reached its peak, but there was great speculation on how the Apple Daily obtained this picture. The incident sparked cries for a public boycott of the Chinese print and TV media for its "exaggerated coverage", and fierce criticism over its journalists' ethics from other media, academics and the public.
Under massive pressure, Apple posted a whole-page notice of apology on its front page on 10 November 1998, where it admitted to "indirectly" paying Chan HK$5,000 for meals and expenses during the process of reporting, including the fees for the prostitutes, and apologised to the public for its "inappropriate handling". On November 1, 2006, Easy Finder lost its appeal against an obscenity ruling on the published article and pictures. The appeal panel upheld the judgement, declaring the article "obscene", and saying it was a "calculated act of selling sexuality which is corrupting and revolting".
In January 2008 photographs Edison Chen had taken of himself with Hong Kong celebrities Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan and Cecilia Cheung were spread through the internet. The press was criticised over its blanket coverage , their reporting style, and the appearance of photographs has also been met with public complaints to TELA. TELA suspected at least two journals of violating the Obscene Articles Ordinance, and sent copies of issue #936 of ''Next Magazine'' and issue #531 of the to the OAT for classification. The Tribunal returned an interim classification of "Class I", meaning the magazines were "neither obscene nor indecent", and TELA demanded a full public hearing to review its decision.
In total, 10 people were arrested for the circulation of the images. The actions of the Hong Kong police have raised concerns about violation of human rights and the relationship with powerful media tycoons.
During the Tibetan unrest of March 2008, due to the censorship and "blackout" policy of the Chinese Government, the Official Chinese Xinhua News Agency had footage. However, local media exclusively obtained unofficial video footage which was re-transmitted by many western leading news agencies including CNN and BBC.
Media authorities
Statutory bodies:
*Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority regulates broadcasters in Hong Kong by licensing and penalties according to the Broadcasting Regulation.
*Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority is responsible for monitoring television and radio broadcasting to secure proper standards.
*Radio Television Hong Kong, operates as an independent government department.
Non-Governmental bodies:
* was established in July 2000. The objective of the Council is to promote the professional and ethical standards of the newspaper industry, defend press freedom, and deal with public complaints against local newspapers. It is an independent organization.
Media regulation
Freedom of the press and publication are enshrined in Article 27 of the , Hong Kong's mini-constitution, and are also protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights under Article 39 of the Basic Law.
There is no law called "media law" in Hong Kong. Instead, the media are governed by statutory laws. In brief, there are 31 Ordinances that are directly related to mass media. Six of which are highlighted below.
*''Registration of Local Newspapers Ordinance '', provides for the registration of local newspapers and news agencies and the licensing of newspaper distributors.
*''Books Registration Ordinance '', provides for the registration and preservation of copies of books first printed, produced or published in Hong Kong.
*''Telecommunications Ordinance '', makes better provision for the licensing and control of telecommunications, telecommunications services and telecommunications apparatus and equipment.
*''Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance '' controls and classifies articles which consist of or contain material that is obscene or indecent. Obscene Articles Tribunals are established to determine whether an article is obscene or indecent.
*''Broadcasting Authority Ordinance '', provides for the establishment and functions of a Broadcasting Authority.
*''Broadcasting Ordinance '', licenses companies to provide broadcasting services and regulate the provision of broadcasting services by licensees.
The rest of the Ordinances are of less importance since they do not aim at regulating mass media, but some of their provisions do affect the operation of media organizations and also the freedom of press.
The passing of ''Bill of Rights Ordinance '' in 1986 strengthened the protection of fundamental human rights like or freedom of speech. This has been reflected in the loosening of control over mass media. Laws that violate the principle of press freedom are gradually amended. For example, section 27 of Public Order Ordinance, which criminalized the publishing of false news, was repealed in 1989.
Nonetheless, there are still concerns among the media sector that some existing laws may still undermine the freedom of the press and publication, e.g. ''Official Secrets Ordinance '' and ''Public Order Ordinance ''.
Overview
Legally regulated
Mass media in Hong Kong is regulated by an . It guarantees that practitioners can fully utilize their creativity and professional capacity to entertain the public and pose check on the .
International
As a world financial centre, Hong Kong attracts mass media all over the world to set up their operations there. Apart from local media, many overseas publications can be found. Foreign broadcasting are treated like regular broadcasts.
Infotainment
Hong Kong media are run under commercial principles. Market force plays an important role. Ratings largely determine the income of the media organizations. "Infotainment" is often the mainstream product of mass media.
Promptness
As a product of a commercial city, the media has the characteristics of other commercial institutes- prompt, responsive, quick. For example, when there is a car accident, reporters would arrive at the hospital earlier than the ambulance. The responsiveness is also demonstrated by the keen need for a scoop. In order to get a , reporters may use all their means to obtain news. Reports are often referenced with "sources said".
Press freedom and responsibility
Government intervention of the press in Hong Kong is minimal. People are free to criticize the government. The mass media is generally independent of any political powers. The media have formed their own professional bodies, e.g. Hong Kong Journalists Association, Hong Kong News Executives' Association, to guarantee non-governmental interference. However, there is a degree of self-censorship, especially with regards to mainland China.
Private ownership
Apart from RTHK and a few newspapers and magazines, most of the media corporations are private-owned.
Statistics
As of 2002:
*Daily newspapers: 52
**Chinese-language dailies: 25
**English-language dailies: 4
**English-language newspapers publishing 5 or 6 days a week: 8
**Bilingual dailies: 7
**Newspapers in other languages: 5
*Free-to-air commercial TV companies: 2
*Subscription TV licensees: 5
*Non-domestic television programme licensees: 12
*Government radio-television station: 1
*Commercial radio stations: 2
Television
Most households subscribe to multichannel pay-TV. Many international and pan-Asian broadcasters are based in Hong Kong, including News Corporation's STAR TV. Hong Kong's terrestrial commercial TV networks, and , can also be seen in neighboring Guangdong Province and Macau .
*Television Broadcasts Limited - private
*Phoenix TV - private
*Asia Television Ltd - private
* - private
*Now TV - private
*HKBN bbTV - private
*Radio Television Hong Kong - government-funded
Radio
*Radio Television Hong Kong - government-funded, operates seven networks in Cantonese, Mandarin and English
*Commercial Radio - operates CR1, CR2 networks in Cantonese and mediumwave station AM 864
*Metro Radio Hong Kong - operates Metro Showbiz, Metro Finance and English-language Metro Plus
Newspapers
Magazines
*''Cheng Ming Magazine]''
*''City Magazine'' 《號外》
*''East Touch''
*''East Week''
*''Far Eastern Economic Review''
*''''
*''HK Magazine''
*''The List Magazine
*''Next Magazine''
Internet radio stations
These are non-profit and unregulated internet radio stations operated by hobbyists and non-profit organisations. Most of these stations tend to be quite political and influential, although a variety of apolitical programs are gradually appearing in prominence.
*''Openradio Hong Kong''
*''People's Radio Hong Kong''
*''Hiradio.net''
*''WM6471.net''
*''Radio71''
*''Inmediahk.net''
*''MyRadio''
Public space media
*RoadShow
*Newsline Express
Media organizations
*Sing Tao News Corporation Limited
*Next Media
*Videotage
Challenges
Trust
Ethical studies have been conducted by four journalism groups . They could not deny the fact that the mass media were suffering decreasing respect of Hong Kong citizens. Journalism was no longer seen as a respectable profession. The public had little trust in newspapers. The news industry attributed this phenomenon to the citizens' complaints about the decreasing ethics of journalists.
Content
The general consensus is that the news industry injects too much violence and pornography into news reporting. Victims were usually celebrities. Stories were exaggerated often violating privacy. A study was conducted by Hong Kong Journalists Association in early 2007 to find that 58.4% of journalists in Hong Kong considered that the degree of freedom of speech had decreased since the handover in 1997. Furthermore nearly 60% of the interviewed journalists also thought that more self-censorship had been practiced then than 1997.
Incidents
Apple Daily Chan Kin-hong incident
On 19 October 1998, a woman, together with her 2 children, jumped off a tall building in Sheung Shui and died. The local media quickly turned their attention to the woman's husband, Chan Kin-hong . It was alleged that Mrs. Chan committed suicide because her husband had taken another wife from mainland China. Chan then filled the headlines of major newspapers and TV channels, being portrayed as both a disgraceful husband and a living example of trans-boundary marital problems between Hong Kong and mainland China.
During the media's wild chase of the story, the Apple Daily posted a photograph of Chan cuddling two mainland prostitutes in a hotel room. Public resentment against Chan reached its peak, but there was great speculation on how the Apple Daily obtained this picture. The incident sparked cries for a public boycott of the Chinese print and TV media for its "exaggerated coverage", and fierce criticism over its journalists' ethics from other media, academics and the public.
Under massive pressure, Apple posted a whole-page notice of apology on its front page on 10 November 1998, where it admitted to "indirectly" paying Chan HK$5,000 for meals and expenses during the process of reporting, including the fees for the prostitutes, and apologised to the public for its "inappropriate handling". On November 1, 2006, Easy Finder lost its appeal against an obscenity ruling on the published article and pictures. The appeal panel upheld the judgement, declaring the article "obscene", and saying it was a "calculated act of selling sexuality which is corrupting and revolting".
Edison Chen's photo scandal
In January 2008 photographs Edison Chen had taken of himself with Hong Kong celebrities Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan and Cecilia Cheung were spread through the internet. The press was criticised over its blanket coverage , their reporting style, and the appearance of photographs has also been met with public complaints to TELA. TELA suspected at least two journals of violating the Obscene Articles Ordinance, and sent copies of issue #936 of ''Next Magazine'' and issue #531 of the to the OAT for classification. The Tribunal returned an interim classification of "Class I", meaning the magazines were "neither obscene nor indecent", and TELA demanded a full public hearing to review its decision.
In total, 10 people were arrested for the circulation of the images. The actions of the Hong Kong police have raised concerns about violation of human rights and the relationship with powerful media tycoons.
2008 Tibetan unrest
During the Tibetan unrest of March 2008, due to the censorship and "blackout" policy of the Chinese Government, the Official Chinese Xinhua News Agency had footage. However, local media exclusively obtained unofficial video footage which was re-transmitted by many western leading news agencies including CNN and BBC.
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (film)
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing is a 1955 film. Set in , it tells the story of a married but separated American reporter , who falls in love with a doctor originally from Mainland China , only to encounter prejudice from her family and from Hong Kong society.
The movie was adapted by John Patrick from the 1952 novel ''A Many-Splendoured Thing'' by Han Suyin. The film was directed by Henry King.
It won Academy Awards for , and . It was nominated for , , , and .
Filming locations included Hong Kong.
The movie later inspired a television soap opera in 1967.
The sentimental and upbeat theme song, "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing" was one of the first songs written for a movie to become #1 in the charts during the same year. The song was recorded by The Four Aces and also by Jerry Vale, and Frank Sinatra, among others.
Here's a sample of the song's lyrics:
::''Love is nature's way of giving ''
::''a reason to be living,''
::''The golden crown that makes a man a king.''
During the film, some romantic meetings occur on a dramatically high grassy, windswept hill in Hong Kong. That setting makes the song lyrics, which are easily heard during parts of the film, intensely romantic, as they are sung to the main theme of the song:
::''Once on a high and windy hill,''
::''In the morning mist, Two lovers kissed,''
::''And the world stood still.''
The theme song, as recorded by The Four Aces, went to #1 on the charts for four weeks in 1955 and won the Academy Award for Best Song.
The movie was adapted by John Patrick from the 1952 novel ''A Many-Splendoured Thing'' by Han Suyin. The film was directed by Henry King.
It won Academy Awards for , and . It was nominated for , , , and .
Filming locations included Hong Kong.
The movie later inspired a television soap opera in 1967.
Song
The sentimental and upbeat theme song, "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing" was one of the first songs written for a movie to become #1 in the charts during the same year. The song was recorded by The Four Aces and also by Jerry Vale, and Frank Sinatra, among others.
Here's a sample of the song's lyrics:
::''Love is nature's way of giving ''
::''a reason to be living,''
::''The golden crown that makes a man a king.''
During the film, some romantic meetings occur on a dramatically high grassy, windswept hill in Hong Kong. That setting makes the song lyrics, which are easily heard during parts of the film, intensely romantic, as they are sung to the main theme of the song:
::''Once on a high and windy hill,''
::''In the morning mist, Two lovers kissed,''
::''And the world stood still.''
The theme song, as recorded by The Four Aces, went to #1 on the charts for four weeks in 1955 and won the Academy Award for Best Song.
Lam Bun
Lam Bun was a radio commentator in Commercial Radio Hong Kong. He was a victim of leftist activities during the Hong Kong 1967 riots.
During the 1967 riots, he criticized the leftist agitators on his own radio programmes, even creating a programme called "Can't Stop Striking" to satirize the leftist agitators.
On August 24, 1967, Lam Bun was murdered while driving to work. A death squad, posing as road maintenance workers, stopped his vehicle on the street close to where he lived, stopped him from getting out and poured petrol onto Lam and his cousin. They were both set on fire and burned alive. They both died later in a hospital. No one was arrested, although it was believed that 1967 riot leader, Yeung Kwong , was the one who ordered the murder.
The Lam Bun event angered the people of Hong Kong, eventually leading the government of Hong Kong to suppress the riots.
With the help of Commercial Radio Hong Kong and some Hong Kong citizens, his wife and his 3 daughters fled to France. His address, "18/F, Block C" became a radio programme on Commercial Radio Hong Kong in memory of him.
In 2001, the believed riot leader Yeung Kwong was awarded the highest honour Grand Bauhinia Medal in Hong Kong. Critics in Hong Kong felt that it was inappropriate to award a riot leader who caused the murder of Lam Bun.
1967 riot
During the 1967 riots, he criticized the leftist agitators on his own radio programmes, even creating a programme called "Can't Stop Striking" to satirize the leftist agitators.
On August 24, 1967, Lam Bun was murdered while driving to work. A death squad, posing as road maintenance workers, stopped his vehicle on the street close to where he lived, stopped him from getting out and poured petrol onto Lam and his cousin. They were both set on fire and burned alive. They both died later in a hospital. No one was arrested, although it was believed that 1967 riot leader, Yeung Kwong , was the one who ordered the murder.
The Lam Bun event angered the people of Hong Kong, eventually leading the government of Hong Kong to suppress the riots.
With the help of Commercial Radio Hong Kong and some Hong Kong citizens, his wife and his 3 daughters fled to France. His address, "18/F, Block C" became a radio programme on Commercial Radio Hong Kong in memory of him.
Controversy 2001
In 2001, the believed riot leader Yeung Kwong was awarded the highest honour Grand Bauhinia Medal in Hong Kong. Critics in Hong Kong felt that it was inappropriate to award a riot leader who caused the murder of Lam Bun.
Joel Delacy
Joel Delacy is a Hong Kong-based . Born in Australia in November 1956, Delacy has been part of the Hong Kong broadcasting industry since 1979.
Delacy currently works as the morning news anchor on Commercial Radio's English Channel. Prior to joining the newsroom, Delacy worked as a DJ. Before Hong Kong's handover to Beijing in 1997, he had produced and presented many programmes. These include sports programming like the annual live broadcasts from the Hong Kong Rugby sevens.
He has also worked as a presenter, voice over artiste and writer at ATV, Hong Kong.
Delacy was the third person on the scene after the gruesome attack on Commercial Radio colleague Albert Cheng on August 19, 1998 and was the only person to offer assistance. He applied tourniquets until police arrived with a first aid kit. Delacy then went back inside the building, and after washing the blood off his hands, wrote the story about the attack and fifteen minutes later, in a shaky voice, read the story in the 7am newscast.
Although he is bigger than the average person, Delacy is a well respected gentleman of the Hong Kong media.
Outside the broadcast industry, he has an active interest in Hong Kong heritage and railways.
Delacy currently works as the morning news anchor on Commercial Radio's English Channel. Prior to joining the newsroom, Delacy worked as a DJ. Before Hong Kong's handover to Beijing in 1997, he had produced and presented many programmes. These include sports programming like the annual live broadcasts from the Hong Kong Rugby sevens.
He has also worked as a presenter, voice over artiste and writer at ATV, Hong Kong.
Albert Cheng incident
Delacy was the third person on the scene after the gruesome attack on Commercial Radio colleague Albert Cheng on August 19, 1998 and was the only person to offer assistance. He applied tourniquets until police arrived with a first aid kit. Delacy then went back inside the building, and after washing the blood off his hands, wrote the story about the attack and fifteen minutes later, in a shaky voice, read the story in the 7am newscast.
Gentle giant
Although he is bigger than the average person, Delacy is a well respected gentleman of the Hong Kong media.
Interests
Outside the broadcast industry, he has an active interest in Hong Kong heritage and railways.
Hong Kong Journalists Association
The Hong Kong Journalists Association was established in 1968 for practising journalists in Hong Kong "to enhance press freedom and the integrity of news coverage" . The association acts as a trade union for journalists by seeking to improve working conditions for them and further works to aid journalists by striving to remove barriers journalists face when gathering news. HKJA also serves as a channel for individuals to file complaints when unethical reporting in local media is observed.
Every year, HKJA produces a report on the press freedom status in Hong Kong. It is widely circulated to foreign consulates and non-governmental organisations and is often quoted in foreign media reports about Hong Kong. The 2006 report describes the challenges facing the media in Hong Kong, including the government's attempts to influence the editorial direction of the public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong .
Prior to 2006, the report was annually produced in partnership with ARTICLE 19, a London-based rights group.
HKJA is an affiliated member of the International Federation of Journalists, the world's largest journalists' organisation.
HKJA is also a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global network of non-governmental organisations that monitors censorship worldwide and defends journalists, writers, Internet users and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Hong Kong's press consists of 23 Chinese dailies, 13 English dailies , 8 bilingual dailies and 5 Japanese publications. Of the 23 Chinese dailies, 17 mainly cover local and overseas news, while 4 specialise in finance. 3 Chinese dailies and 4 bilingual dailies are published on the Internet.
In order to maintain its neutrality, HKJA is funded by membership fees and other fund-raising activities, such as annual dinners, seminars , training courses etc.
One may choose to join HKJA as a Full Member, Associate Member, Public Relations Member or Student Member. For further details, you may refer to the official website.
Executive Committee:
The Chairperson for 2006 to 2007 is Serenade WOO Lai-wan , formerly chief reporter on the court beat at Hong Kong Economic Times.
The Vice-chairperson is LO King-wah , the reporter of Hong Kong Cable Television, CATV.
The other Executive Committee Members are:
* Raymond CHENG
* CHEUNG Ping-ling
* Kenny COYLE
* Don GASPER
* HO Fu-yee
* Una SO Man-sze
* TANG Kong-fai
* Freda WAN
* Wayne YIM Kim-ho
* Mandela YIP
Ethics Committee:
Every year, the Executive Committee appoints three members to the Ethics Committee after the Annual General Meeting. The committee's responsibility is to investigate alleged breaches of HKJA's Code of Ethics and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee. The Convenor for 2006-2007 is Mr. LO King Wah.
Subcommittees :
There are five subcommittees which members can join. They are:
# Press Freedom
# Membership, Training and Welfare
# China Concern
# International Relations
# Publication
For more information about these subcommittees, feel free to browse through
The Association organizes various activities to inform their members of the latest news/developments in the field. These include seminars, workshops and overseas tours.
Certificate Courses:
HKJA has organized training courses for junior journalists that will take place in November 2006. These courses cover topics such as how to conduct effective interviews in political, court or hospital settings. Guest lecturers are invited to the courses, most of which are well-known in the journalism field. A certificate will be given to candidates who complete the courses.
The judgment was made on October 16, 2006. The complaint was about several journalists from a Hong Kong magazine "Easy Finder " who took photos of a local female artist,Gillian Chung , in a dressing room using a hidden camera.
There were three main parts of the judgment:
# HKJA received more than 20 complaints about the 761th issue of "Easy Finder" magazine, which was published on August 23, 2006. In the issue, the magazine published photos of Gillian Chung in a dressing room located in Malaysia.
# According to the fifth article of the HKJA Code of Ethics, "A journalist shall obtain information, photographs and illustrations only by straightforward means. The use of other means can be justified only by over-riding considerations of the public interest. The journalist is entitled to exercise a personal conscientious objection to the use of such means."
# HKJA concluded that publishing a photo of an artist who was undressing could not be justified as being in the public interest. Using a hidden camera in order to get the photos was a violation of individual privacy as well as HKJA Code of Ethics.
For the Chinese version, please visit: http://www.hkja.org.hk/ethics/judgement/j_index.htm
2nd Nov, 2006
Mary Lau, the wife of detained journalist Ching Cheong, issued her latest statement on her husband's case on November 2, 2006. She called for his immediate release
HKJA held a press conference and also called for Ching Cheong's release.
Questions over Hong Kong's press freedom were raised when the government announced plans to set up a committee to review public broadcasting in January 2005. The greatest concern that arose from the establishment of the committee seemed to be the controversy over the editorial independence/freedom of Radio Television Hong Kong . The broadcaster is known for airing views and opinions that challenge the government's policies. Consequently, there were fears over whether RTHK's editorial freedom would remain. On the one hand, the government wanted to use RTHK as an outlet to disseminate its views. On the other, Hong Kong people want to be able to voice their concerns freely. The Hong Kong Journalists Association responded to the issue by saying that RTHK should maintain its freedom and remain independent from the government .
So the question becomes, will RTHK change and act as the government's megaphone, or will it live out its values and mission and continue to value editorial independence and serve the public?
:For more information, feel free to take a look at the following sites:
:*
:*
Introduced as a law to protect national security, of the Basic Law created much concern and debate over Hong Kong's right to freedom of speech. On the one hand, the government wanted to pass the bill to help the country and protect it from any threats, while on the other, individuals wanted to be able to express themselves freely. In a response to the issue, HKJA opposed the bill as it felt that Article 23 posed a threat to freedom of expression and was also unnecessary . Due to the dissatisfaction of the people, on July 1, 2003 approximately 500,000 people protested against Article 23. On September 5 later that year, the government announced that it had decided to withdraw the bill.
:For more information, feel free to take a look at the following sites:
:*
:*
More details concerning the Press Freedom statements issued by HKJA can be read from the following link:
*
On October 26, 2006, Ming Pao reported the findings of a survey in which Hong Kong people were asked to rate the local press.
It showed that the press received a relatively steady approval rating from the general public.
However, another survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong, showed that public support for the press in Hong Kong has been decreasing and has reached its lowest point in three years.
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Background
Every year, HKJA produces a report on the press freedom status in Hong Kong. It is widely circulated to foreign consulates and non-governmental organisations and is often quoted in foreign media reports about Hong Kong. The 2006 report describes the challenges facing the media in Hong Kong, including the government's attempts to influence the editorial direction of the public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong .
Prior to 2006, the report was annually produced in partnership with ARTICLE 19, a London-based rights group.
HKJA is an affiliated member of the International Federation of Journalists, the world's largest journalists' organisation.
HKJA is also a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global network of non-governmental organisations that monitors censorship worldwide and defends journalists, writers, Internet users and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Hong Kong's press consists of 23 Chinese dailies, 13 English dailies , 8 bilingual dailies and 5 Japanese publications. Of the 23 Chinese dailies, 17 mainly cover local and overseas news, while 4 specialise in finance. 3 Chinese dailies and 4 bilingual dailies are published on the Internet.
Funding
In order to maintain its neutrality, HKJA is funded by membership fees and other fund-raising activities, such as annual dinners, seminars , training courses etc.
Membership classifications
One may choose to join HKJA as a Full Member, Associate Member, Public Relations Member or Student Member. For further details, you may refer to the official website.
Board
Executive Committee:
The Chairperson for 2006 to 2007 is Serenade WOO Lai-wan , formerly chief reporter on the court beat at Hong Kong Economic Times.
The Vice-chairperson is LO King-wah , the reporter of Hong Kong Cable Television, CATV.
The other Executive Committee Members are:
* Raymond CHENG
* CHEUNG Ping-ling
* Kenny COYLE
* Don GASPER
* HO Fu-yee
* Una SO Man-sze
* TANG Kong-fai
* Freda WAN
* Wayne YIM Kim-ho
* Mandela YIP
Ethics Committee:
Every year, the Executive Committee appoints three members to the Ethics Committee after the Annual General Meeting. The committee's responsibility is to investigate alleged breaches of HKJA's Code of Ethics and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee. The Convenor for 2006-2007 is Mr. LO King Wah.
Subcommittees :
There are five subcommittees which members can join. They are:
# Press Freedom
# Membership, Training and Welfare
# China Concern
# International Relations
# Publication
For more information about these subcommittees, feel free to browse through
Activities
The Association organizes various activities to inform their members of the latest news/developments in the field. These include seminars, workshops and overseas tours.
Certificate Courses:
HKJA has organized training courses for junior journalists that will take place in November 2006. These courses cover topics such as how to conduct effective interviews in political, court or hospital settings. Guest lecturers are invited to the courses, most of which are well-known in the journalism field. A certificate will be given to candidates who complete the courses.
HKJA news
Latest judgment made by the Ethics Committee
The judgment was made on October 16, 2006. The complaint was about several journalists from a Hong Kong magazine "Easy Finder " who took photos of a local female artist,Gillian Chung , in a dressing room using a hidden camera.
There were three main parts of the judgment:
# HKJA received more than 20 complaints about the 761th issue of "Easy Finder" magazine, which was published on August 23, 2006. In the issue, the magazine published photos of Gillian Chung in a dressing room located in Malaysia.
# According to the fifth article of the HKJA Code of Ethics, "A journalist shall obtain information, photographs and illustrations only by straightforward means. The use of other means can be justified only by over-riding considerations of the public interest. The journalist is entitled to exercise a personal conscientious objection to the use of such means."
# HKJA concluded that publishing a photo of an artist who was undressing could not be justified as being in the public interest. Using a hidden camera in order to get the photos was a violation of individual privacy as well as HKJA Code of Ethics.
For the Chinese version, please visit: http://www.hkja.org.hk/ethics/judgement/j_index.htm
Latest news
2nd Nov, 2006
Mary Lau, the wife of detained journalist Ching Cheong, issued her latest statement on her husband's case on November 2, 2006. She called for his immediate release
HKJA held a press conference and also called for Ching Cheong's release.
Press freedom issues in Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong
Questions over Hong Kong's press freedom were raised when the government announced plans to set up a committee to review public broadcasting in January 2005. The greatest concern that arose from the establishment of the committee seemed to be the controversy over the editorial independence/freedom of Radio Television Hong Kong . The broadcaster is known for airing views and opinions that challenge the government's policies. Consequently, there were fears over whether RTHK's editorial freedom would remain. On the one hand, the government wanted to use RTHK as an outlet to disseminate its views. On the other, Hong Kong people want to be able to voice their concerns freely. The Hong Kong Journalists Association responded to the issue by saying that RTHK should maintain its freedom and remain independent from the government .
So the question becomes, will RTHK change and act as the government's megaphone, or will it live out its values and mission and continue to value editorial independence and serve the public?
:For more information, feel free to take a look at the following sites:
:*
:*
Article 23
Introduced as a law to protect national security, of the Basic Law created much concern and debate over Hong Kong's right to freedom of speech. On the one hand, the government wanted to pass the bill to help the country and protect it from any threats, while on the other, individuals wanted to be able to express themselves freely. In a response to the issue, HKJA opposed the bill as it felt that Article 23 posed a threat to freedom of expression and was also unnecessary . Due to the dissatisfaction of the people, on July 1, 2003 approximately 500,000 people protested against Article 23. On September 5 later that year, the government announced that it had decided to withdraw the bill.
:For more information, feel free to take a look at the following sites:
:*
:*
More details concerning the Press Freedom statements issued by HKJA can be read from the following link:
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Hong Kong Press Ratings
On October 26, 2006, Ming Pao reported the findings of a survey in which Hong Kong people were asked to rate the local press.
It showed that the press received a relatively steady approval rating from the general public.
However, another survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong, showed that public support for the press in Hong Kong has been decreasing and has reached its lowest point in three years.
About ethics
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Local journalists organisations
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Major local newspapers
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Major local magazines
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Foreign newspapers
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Other links
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Hong Kong Guide
Hong Kong Guide is a Hong Kong atlas published by Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department of Hong Kong Government. From 2005, ''Hong Kong Guide 2005'' includes s in parallel to traditional maps.
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