Contents

Editorial (A case to answer) - By John Wan
Letters to Editor
A question for media professionals - By L F Thomas
Also in the Members Only Version - Editor

editorial

A Case To Answer

Last Sunday (9 June) TVB broadcast at prime time (9 to 9:50 p.m.) on the Chinese service a programme apparently sponsored by the District the object of which was to heighten awareness in the community of our activities thereby enhancing Rotary's image in the District.

This is the same programme we discussed in this column in Issue 24 dated 9 May. In that article, we asked what would be in the programme and raised concerns on how much an average Rotarian in the District was aware of the process whereby the programme was produced. We also questioned whether the programme could enhance Rotary's image.

Past President L F Thomas, having watched the programme, has raised a few questions in an article in this Issue. These are rather pertinent questions; and we feel that the District has a case to answer.

If each club contributes $10,000 towards the programme, the sum raised would be sufficient for the annual running costs of the Rotary Information Centre and would be close to one third of the annual operating budget.

We question how much the District has committed towards the TV programme, and whether the District has been fully consulted and has consented to the format, contents and concepts. We also question whether the programme officers of TVB had fully appraised and advised the District beforehand how and how much the District image could be enhanced through the programme and programming.

While we have no doubt that certain Rotarians had worked hard in good faith and in the belief that the programme would be well received, we need to point out that the programme could have sent the wrong signals to the community.

We hasten to point out that positive and proactive public relations are not easy, but we believe we have among us the professionals who can help us go nearer the mark and avoid the mistakes that have beenmade. Let us draw some lessons from the event and start to take positive action and to develop an action plan for the future.

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Letters to Editor

You are welcome to write to Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response fro the latter for publication in the same issue if possible.

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A Question for Media Professionals

By L F Thomas

[L F Thomas is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile and a Past Assistant Governor - Ed.]

I saw the Rotary feature last night [9 June] and may be biased as my Cantonese isn't up to scratch enough to give in-depth criticism of such features. However it was clear to all that some 50% of the time was spent on a romantic story which had nothing to do with Rotary and as a "love storyette", was included more to satisfy the egos of the pretty but not very good actors and actresses than to improve Rotary's Image.

Another point. Since Rotary Clubs paid I believe $10,000 each, why was it necessary to include others' adverts in the time that I assume we paid for? The parts that did cover Rotary seemed visually and audibly to go some way to achieving the objective, but media professionals would need to answer that question I think.

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1. Rotary selected as recipient of Gates Award for Global Health - From RI News Basket
2. Jokes - From District Website
3. A short message to members - By Tom Hui
4. Visitor from the Glean Rotary Club in Kaohsiong - By Alexander Mak
5. My thoughts on the Vocational Service Seminar - By Peter Lo
6. A scheme to help members become Paul Harris Fellows - By Ted Ho
   

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