The U.S. Presidential Election aroused serious and heated debate all over the world. As the first African-American to be elected President of the United States, Barack Obama proved his ability to bridge the divide between people and bring them together, not only in the U.S. but elsewhere. Perhaps reflecting that, Mr. Obama was selected by RTHK listeners to be Radio 3 “Backchat’s Person of the Year 2008” with 36% of the total vote. Coming next was Edison Chen at 29% and Professor Anthony Hedley of the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Hong Kong at 12%. This year’s poll began on 22 December 2008 and ended this morning (2 January 2009). Other nominations included spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, Legislative Councillor Regina Ip, torchbearer Jin Jing, U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, fallen fire-fighters Siu Wing-fong and Chan Siu-lung, Chief Executive of HKSAR Donald Tsang and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Listeners were asked to vote online or by calling during the show. The essential criterion was news impact. RTHK Radio 3’s “Backchat’s Person of the Year” started in 2001. Previous winners included former Chief Secretary Anson Chan, Legislative Councillor Leung Kwok-hung, Pui Pui (Yuen Long Crocodile), and the Hong Kong Police. RTHK Radio 3’s “Backchat” (weekdays 8:30 a.m. — 9:30 a.m.) gives listeners an hour every weekday morning to have their say along with various panels of experts on the leading issues of the day. Topics range from political issues to community complaints. As we say everyday on Backchat, “It’s your voice”. Results of the poll were announced this morning (2 January 2009) on Radio 3 (AM567/ FM97.9 Happy Valley, Jardine’s Lookout & Parkview Corner/ AM1584, FM106.8 HK South/ FM107.8 Tseung Kwan O & Tin Shui Wai) during “Backchat”. The public could check out RTHK on Internet (www.rthk.org.hk) for programme archive and the polling result. Polling Result Ranks Nominees Percentage 1. Barack Obama 35.9% 2. Edison Chen 28.85% 3. Tony Hedley 12.18% 4. Siu Wing-fong & Chan Siu-lung 7.05% 5. Dalai Lama 6.4% 6. Sarah Palin 3.85% Wen Jiabao 3.85% 7. Regina Ip 0.64% Jin Jing 0.64% Donald Tsang 0.64%

ccu@rthk.org.hk