11
COMMUNICATING WITH THE MEDIA AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
If any significant incident were to occur at the Daya Bay nuclear power station there would be a need to ensure that the people of Hong Kong are given accurate and timely information about the incident and, if necessary, advice on what actions they should take. This requirement is of prime importance. The most likely accident scenarios at the Daya Bay plant would not result in any significant radiological hazard to the population of Hong Kong. Panic caused by rumours and misinformation could easily lead to chaos on the roads and on the transportation systems which would present a very real hazard to the population of Hong Kong. Minimizing this hazard is an important function of any contingency plan.
11.1 Government Information Services
The Government Information Services Department (GIS) should take a leading role in relation to this aspect of contingency planning. GIS provide the Government with its most direct contact with the media on a 24 hours basis. In particular it maintains telex and facsimile links with many newspapers and radio and television stations.
GIS must maintain close liaison with the Civil Control Centre (CCC). The CCC must in turn maintain close liaison with the Monitoring and Assessment Centre (MAC), the supporting organisations and also the reactor operators and the relevant authorities in the People's Republic of China.
It is important that all communication with the media is via GIS.
11.2 Press Briefing Centre
but
GIS have a Press Briefing Centre located in Beaconsfield House in Queen's Road. This Centre is close to, separate from, the CCC and as such it may provide a focus for the media which will allow the executive personnel in the CCC easy access to the media for press conferences. In the event of any major incident at Daya Bay this centre would be opened up to the media.
Although the GIS Press Briefing Room should be well-equipped to deal with a fairly large amount of media interest, it is possible that a major incident at the Daya Bay site could attract a very large number of media people who could not all be accommodated in the existing room. Consideration should therefore be given to identifying large halls or theatres, etc., which could be used to provide briefings to very large numbers of media people. Since it is highly unlikely that such facilities will ever be required it is recommended only that a list of possible locations is drawn up and held by GIS.
Communications Equipment
The staff manning the Press Briefing Centre will require good communications with the CCC. The Government Information Services Department is equipped with a direct-line telephone to the CCC. Additionally, a telex and facsimile link exists between GIS and the CCC.
A number of telephones (if possible at least 10) should also be provided for use by members of the Press.
Other Equipment
It is essential that the Press Briefing Centre is equipped with suitable maps of Hong Kong. These maps should be similar to those used in the CCC and other emergency centres. The provision of this facility will allow data from the CCC to be presented on the maps to the assembled media.
Other miscellaneous equipment such as a diagram of a Daya Bay type reactor, telephone directories, a photocopier,
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