14
The Media
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HONG KONG has a free press comprising 333 publications, and newspaper readership figures put the population among the world's most avid readers.
There are three commercial television stations which reach an estimated three million viewers a day, and two radio stations which broadcast on seven channels in both English and Chinese. The price of a radio or television in Hong Kong is believed to be the lowest in the world and no licence is required for either. In most cases, the price of newspapers remains a mere 30 cents.
Press
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Newspapers account for 107 of the 333 publications now registered with the Registrar of Newspapers. Some 350 copies of newspapers are printed for every 1,000 people in Hong Kong. In Asia, only Japan exceeds this figure, with 490 copies to every 1,000 people. The world average is 102 per thousand people.
Hong Kong's newspapers include three English dailies and 98 Chinese language papers. The combined daily circulation of the English language papers is estimated at 110,000, while the Chinese newspapers have an estimated circulation of 1.35 million. Four of the Chinese dailies sell more than 100,000 copies each. =
Periodicals represent a main sector of the press. There are 226 periodicals-157 Chinese, 47 English, 20 bilingual, and two Japanese. These magazines cover a wide range of subjects, from specialist technical journals to local entertainment guides.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association has more than 600 members. In 1975, as part of its efforts to raise professional standards, the association introduced a six- point code of ethics for members. It also stepped-up its industrial activities by supporting a number of members' claims before the Labour Tribunal.
The Hong Kong Press Club in Wan Chai provides social and working facilities for journalists and photographers. The Governor-who opened the club in 1974-- returned to present the 1975 Journalist of the Year awards, made by the Hong Kong Journalists Association. Other distinguished visitors during the year included Lord Thomson of Fleet. The Foreign Correspondents Club in Central is also popular with local and visiting journalists, as well as people in advertising, public relations and business.
Chinese and English language newspapers are also represented by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, which has 15 members and 13 associate members. It is em- powered to act in matters affecting the interests of local newspapers, the society or its members.