17
Communications and The Media
業
MES MER
THE major issue for Hong Kong's news media in 1984 centred on the continuing negotiations between Britain and China on the territory's future. The many news. organisations - spanning the press, radio and television - reported in great detail on all aspects surrounding the confidential talks held in Peking that led to the initialling, on September 26, of a draft agreement. Reporters and photographers travelled regularly between Hong Kong and the Chinese capital for the many rounds of talks. Some members of the media also travelled to London to report on the parliamentary debates on Hong Kong's future.
Throughout the year, the media also provided wide coverage of local views on the future, whether expressed by individuals, groups or organisations. Debates held by the Legislative and Urban Councils were fully reported as were statements made by members of the numerous local groups which had visited Peking for private talks on the territory's future with Chinese officials.
Another issue that received extensive media coverage was the Green Paper on the Further Development of Representative Government in Hong Kong, which was published in July.=
In Hong Kong, the processes of communications and public information play a more important role than in almost any other territory in the world. Much of this activity undoubtedly arises from Hong Kong's geographical situation. Traditionally, the territory has been a trading post in the Far East and over the years has expanded into a manufacturing and financial centre as well. For all these roles sophisticated international communications have been developed.
Satellite and the latest telecommunication equipment is geared to the community's international needs. As well as serving Hong Kong's own commercial interests, these facilities have attracted news media representatives from many parts of the world. Indeed, no other place of similar size can rival the range and intensity of media activity. News agencies, newspapers with international readerships and overseas television companies and corporations have found it convenient to establish their bureaux and offices here. Regional publications produced in Hong Kong have prospered, reflecting the territory's enhanced position as a centre of industrial and trading expertise.
Within Hong Kong itself, the extensive news media is made up of many daily newspapers, a range of weekly magazines, two private television companies, one govern- ment radio/television station, one commercial radio station and one radio service for the British Forces. There is a free, critical and outspoken press without legislative controls other than those intended to provide safeguards against libel and pornography. The news media provides an efficient and speedy supply of information to a literate, industrious and healthily inquisitive society.