14
KO
Press, Broadcasting and Cinema
WITH the second highest newspaper readership in Asia, Hong Kong once again proved that its people are among the world's most avid readers. There are now 375 copies to every 1,000 people in Hong Kong, compared to Japan's 487 copies and a world average of 102 per 1,000 people.
This insatiable demand for both news and entertainment has given rise to a healthy and outward looking press which, free from government intervention and restriction, enjoys complete freedom of expression.
Apart from 288 publications of which 101 are newspapers with a total circula- tion of 1.5 million, there are four television channels (two operating a colour service) providing entertainment and information to some two million viewers. There are very nearly 100 cinemas in Hong Kong; and three radio stations with well over one million radio receivers in use. The purchase price of a radio or television is perhaps the lowest in the world and no licence fee is required for either. The price of newspapers remains, in most cases, a mere HK 20 cents.
In addition to their own sources of local and world news, all media receive news releases, radio bulletins, films and photographs from the Government Information Services, informing the people of the government's aims and achievements. The department maintains a 24-hour service and provides news coverage of all major events.
Press
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Newspapers account for 101 of the 288 publications now registered with the Registrar of Newspapers. There are four English and 97 Chinese language news- papers. The combined circulation of the English language papers is 100,000, while the Chinese newspapers command a circulation of 1.4 million. Of the 97 Chinese dailies there are four selling more than 100,000 copies each.
Besides 20 concerned with general news, there are some 40 Chinese dailies whose content is solely entertainment orientated. These papers are for amusement and provide little or no news coverage. With combined sales in the region of 400,000 per day, many enjoy considerable advertising support, and some are also printed in colour.
Periodicals represent the other main sector of Hong Kong's press. There are 187 such publications, divided into 53 English and 134 Chinese. These magazines cover an exceedingly wide range of subjects, from the most specialised technical journals to local entertainment guides.