News and Events

Scholars and media leaders discuss digital broadcasting at Digital Radio Week

The launch of digital audio broadcasting services marks a new era of broadcasting development in Hong Kong. The School of Communication organised a Digital Radio Week to provide a timely platform for better exchange between industry practitioners and academics on the development of digital audio broadcasting worldwide and in Hong Kong. An opening ceremony was held on 26 September followed by a keynote speech and a forum.

"With the advent of digital audio broadcasting, a total of 18 channels in digital format have either been launched or will soon be launched. HKBU is fully aware of our responsibility to society in terms of the education we provide to young people, in particular in the communication arena. This Digital Radio Week is part of our continued endeavour in communication education," said Professor Rick Wong, Vice- President (Research and Development), in his opening remarks.

Professor Ted Schwalbe, Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at the State University of New York at Fredonia, delivered a keynote speech titled "Experiences in Digital Radio". In his speech, Professor Schwalbe discussed the development of digital radio in the United States based on interviews he conducted with six radio stations on their use of HD radio, websites, and social media.

At the forum on "How Can Digital Broadcasting Create a Better Community?", Ms. May Chan, Director of News and Public Affairs, Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Ltd, and Dr. Lo Wai-luk, Associate Professor, Academy of Film, School of Communication, served as facilitators. Two veteran media leaders, Mr. Morris Ho, CEO, Digital Broadcasting Corporation HK Ltd, and Mr. Tai Keen-man, Deputy Director of Broadcasting (Programmes), RTHK, shared their experiences in running digital audio broadcasting channels and the challenges and opportunities they encountered during the process.

	Guests and speaker pose for a photo at the opening ceremony: (from left) Professor Huang Yu, Acting Dean of Communication, Professor Ted Schwalbe, Professor Rick Wong and Professor Ringo Ma, Associate Dean of Communication.

	Speakers share their views on digital broadcasting (from left): Dr. Lo Wai-luk, Mr. Tai Keen-man, Mr. Morris Ho and Ms. May Chan.