Hong Kong 2006 - Communications, the Media and Information Technology

The Information Services Department (ISD) serves as the Government's public relations consultant, news agency, publisher and advertising agent. It provides the link between the Administration and the media and, through the latter, enhances public understanding of government policies, decisions and activities.

The department comprises four divisions: Local Public Relations, Publicity and Promotions, Public Relations Outside Hong Kong, and Administration.

The Government News and Media Information System (GNMIS) channels press releases, photographs and video clips through a single system accessible to journalists on the Internet.

All press releases are also uploaded onto the Government's internet home page, www.gov.hk. In addition, major government press conferences and events, including the annual Policy Address by the Chief Executive and the Budget Speech by the Financial Secretary, are webcast live on the Internet.

The Government's electronic bulletin, news.gov.hk, serves as a communications channel to enhance ties between the Government and the media, business, industry, academia and the community, presenting news and information throughout the day, seven days a week, in a dynamic multimedia format. By year-end, news.gov.hk had posted 8 848 news and features stories. It had also developed and posted dozens of short videos to its Reel HK page, and added more than 70 new image collections to its Photo Gallery page. Visitors to the site may sign up for free daily e-mails of news summaries, weekly City Life alerts and HK for Kids updates. The e-bulletin now has about 7 500 subscribers.

The e-bulletin attracted about 4.6 million visitors and more than 41 million page views during 2006.

The division oversees the work of Information Grade officers seconded to government bureaux and departments. They serve as Press Secretaries to Principal Officials or work in the 35 bureau and department information and public relations units. They help formulate and implement public relations and publicity policies, advise their bureau or department heads on public relations matters, answer media enquiries and questions from the public, prepare press releases for the media, and organise press conferences and special promotional activities.

The News Sub-division operates a 24-hour press enquiry service. During typhoons, major disasters and other emergencies, ISD will open its Combined Information Centre to disseminate information on the prevailing situation.

The Media Research Sub-division keeps the Government informed of public opinion expressed in the news media. It produces daily reports summarising news and editorial comments in the Chinese and English press as well as on radio and television. It also produces special reports on subjects of interest to the Government.

The Publicity and Promotions Division helps bureaux and departments mount publicity campaigns and related activities locally and outside Hong Kong. It is responsible for advertising, creative design, photography and many of the Government's publications. The larger local campaigns conducted or supported by the division during the year covered a wide range of subjects from anti-smoking to civic education.

It also assists in the organisation of major promotional activities ranging from high-level business conferences, keynote addresses and exhibitions to social and cultural events outside Hong Kong.

The division handles about 4 000 titles and produces a wide variety of government publications, including the Hong Kong Annual Report and its internet version. A large number of free publications such as booklets, leaflets, fact sheets, brochures, posters and government forms are distributed by the division each year. In 2006, the division sold 428 470 government books and miscellaneous printed items through its sales outlet and online bookstore. Photographs are also sold by the division.

The division helps develop and implement the Government's overseas public relations and communications strategy. Its Overseas Public Relations Sub-division works in concert with the Government's Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) to promote and monitor Hong Kong's image overseas. It also works closely with almost 100 foreign media organisations based in Hong Kong, handling press enquiries, disseminating news and arranging interviews. It runs a programme for visiting journalists, produces summaries of overseas reports on Hong Kong and distributes promotional material on Hong Kong worldwide.

The Brand Management Unit is responsible for Brand Hong Kong, the visual identity of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The brand is used to promote Hong Kong as Asia's world city through a variety of channels locally and overseas. The unit, in conjunction with government departments and the private sector, organises activities for international audiences overseas. In Hong Kong, it showcases the city's attractions for visitors and the business community.

The Visits and International Conferences Sub-division runs the department's Sponsored Visitors Programme through which opinion-formers and decision-makers are invited to visit Hong Kong as guests of the Government to enhance their understanding of the SAR. The sub-division also arranges programmes for non-sponsored visitors coming to Hong Kong on private trips. In addition, it runs an Overseas Speakers Programme to enhance foreign investors' understanding of the competitive edge and latest developments of Hong Kong. Arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent local personalities to address targeted audiences abroad.