14
The Media
HONG KONG has a free press and one of the highest newspaper readerships in Asia. Apart from 314 publications with a total estimated circulation of 1.5 million, there are two radio stations, and four television channels providing entertainment and information to an audience of some-two million people.
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 HK30 cents.
Press
Newspapers account for 107 of the 314 publications now registered with the Registrar of Newspapers, including three English dailies and 96 Chinese language newspapers. The combined daily circulation of the English language papers is estimated at 110,000, while the Chinese newspapers command an estimated circulation of 1.35 million. Of the 68 Chinese dailies there are four selling more than 100,000 copies each.
The China Mail, Hong Kong's oldest newspaper, closed down for financial reasons after 129 years of publication. The closure immediately sparked off a severance pay dispute which was later settled with the help of the Labour Department.
Periodicals represent the other main sector of Hong Kong's press. There are 207 such publications, divided into 54 English and 151 Chinese and two Japanese. These magazines cover a wide range of subjects, from specialist technical journals to local entertainment guides.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association, representing a major group of Hong Kong pressmen with more than 600 members, was formed in 1968. This year it took the initiative in efforts to introduce a four-year training scheme for journalists.
Some Chinese and English language newspapers are represented in the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong which has 19 members and four associated members. The Society, formed in 1954, is empowered to act in matters affecting the interests of local newspapers, the society or its members.
The Hong Kong Press Club, a body closely linked with the Hong Kong Journal- ists Association, was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, in February to provide social and working facilities for journalists and photographers. The Foreign Correspondents Club in Central is also popular with local and visiting journalists, as well as advertising, public relations and business people.