QUALITY programmes for teenagers are near to non-existent in the results of a recent survey on the public appreciation of television programmes. Of the 20 most-appreciated programmes, only one is about teenagers. Excluding pop music programmes, only three are featured on the 100 programmes nominated by the four television stations.
The latest Television Appreciation Index has polled 2,115 Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents aged nine and above. Topping the list are soaps and more current affairs programmes compared to past surveys, thanks to concerns over the war in Iraq and the atypical pneumonia outbreak. (See table.)
Media educator and former television industry worker Choi Chi-sum was not surprised by the repport.
'The lack of choice on the free television channels has always been a problem,' he said. 'Soaps have formed the bulk of prime-time programmes for more than 20 years, and they are often similar - full of distortion of reality.'
The general secretary of charity The Society for Truth and Light, cautioned that even children's programmes were of the same format. 'There are many cartoon series which are soaps in nature.'
Teen programmes do not have to preach. Rather, they should stimulate critical thinking, help youngsters develop a variety of interests, or even allow them participation in the production process, Mr Choi said.
But high quality programmes have failed to appear because revenue tops the priority list of the commercial television stations, and the higher rating of soaps have ensured plenty of advertising income.
