MediaCorp Radio Celebrates 70 Years in Singapore
MediaCorp Radio will kick start their 70th Anniversary celebrations at 3pm this Sunday 5 February 2006 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza with the Radio 70-Hour Gag and the launch of the commemorative book ¡¶̀ư¡¢Ëµ70¡· - A Sound Celebration.
2006 marks the 70th anniversary of radio broadcasting in Singapore and MediaCorp Radio has published ¡¶̀ư¡¢Ëµ70¡·- A Sound Celebration, documenting the milestones of broadcasting over the decades. This 180-page book is a detailed look down memory lane of radio¡¯s defining moments, building upon the soul connection that Radio has cultivated with listeners.
MediaCorp Radio is honoured to have Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew pen the foreword of the book, sharing his close connection and personal recollection of radio in earlier times and its integral role in shaping the political and social landscape of Singapore today. Several public personalities have also penned their congratulatory wishes for Radio in the book. The book, priced at $16, will be available for sale at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
Over the years, radio personalities have warmed the lives of Singaporeans with that familiar voice over the airwaves, providing a constant companion with a distinctive lilt. Now, as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations and a break from their daily routine, DJs from 7 radio stations will compete in the 70-Hour Gag challenge by maintaining their silence and communicate with listeners only through written notes, sms and moblogging - all while being housed inside a Gag Room specially created for them. The DJ who clocks the longest duration of staying silent will win the grand prize of $70,000 for the station¡¯s adopted charity.
Since 1996, MediaCorp Radio has embarked on a charity adoption initiative, with our radio stations each adopting a charity, generating awareness of their worthwhile causes among our listeners. This year, the charities adopted by the 7 stations participating in the 70-Hour Gag are
• Gold 90.5FM - Singapore Cheshire Home
• Class 95FM - Mainly I Love Kids (MILK)
• 987FM - Beyond Social Services
• Y.E.S. 93.3FM - Muscular Dystrophy Association of Singapore
(MDAS)
• Love 97.2FM - Care Cancer Society
• Ria 89.7FM - Mendaki¡¯s Youth In Action
• Oli 96.8FM - Sinda¡¯s Project Give
Throughout the challenge, DJs can only communicate via pen & paper, hand-held whiteboard & markers, e-mail and blogging on their lap-tops. Any accidental verbal action will be constituted as a penalty. DJs will also undergo several challenges specially created to break their silence. Listeners can also have their say on the type of challenge issued to the DJs by sending in their votes via SMS. The Gag will commence at 3pm on Sunday 5 February and the winner will be announced by 1pm on Wednesday 8 February 2006.
Said Mr James Yip, Chief Executive Officer of MediaCorp Radio, “We are very excited as Radio turns 70 this year and extremely honoured to have Minister Mentor¡¯s personal note on his sentiments for Radio. Radio¡¯s 70-Hour Gag is really MediaCorp Radio¡¯s way of giving back to the society in a creative and fun way. As a break from tradition, we know it¡¯s almost impossible to imagine any DJ keeping silent for 70 hours but we believe that this is an original and fun way of further building our connection with our listeners and, at the same time, help the less fortunate members of our society by donating the grand prize of $70,000. Join us to witness our chatty MediaCorp Radio¡¯s DJs zipping up and harness the power of silence, all in the name of charity.”
For more information, stay tuned to MediaCorp Radio stations for the latest updates on Radio's 70-Hour Gag.