COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
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language papers, and which also reflects opinions voiced on radio and television. Other publications include Opinion, a weekly review of Chinese editorial comment, What the Magazines Say and special reports on subjects of particular interest to the government. During the year, the sub-division continued to pay special attention to media coverage about issues related to the future of Hong Kong.
The departmental units sub-division co-ordinates the operation of the 26 inform- ation and public relations units in government departments. These units issue press releases, arrange press conferences and site visits and answer many media enquiries concerning the activities and aims of their respective departments. Through these efforts they play a major role in maintaining the flow of information and helping to improve relations with the public. The sub-division is also responsible for producing the Hong Kong News Digest, a fortnightly newspaper in Chinese which helps Hong Kong Chinese overseas to maintain contact with Hong Kong.
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The overseas public relations sub-division (OPRS)_co-ordinates the government's publicity efforts overseas and produces and distributes feature articles and newsclips for radio and television. Assistance is provided for visiting journalists requiring information and interviews with government officers, and a close liaison is maintained with news agencies and overseas journalists based in Hong Kong. In 1985, the unit assisted 480 overseas journalists and 130 other visitors, and distributed 60 features, 26 taped stories for radio, and 126 video items for TV.
The Publicity Division embraces the creative, publishing and promotional resources of the department. Its ambit includes photography and film-making, an extensive photo- graphic library, the staging of exhibitions, the design of books, leaflets and posters, publishing activities and the design and placement of all government advertising. GIS produces a wide variety of publications ranging from leaflets and fact sheets to the Hong Kong Annual Report – which is the best-selling hardback book in the territory – and other full-colour books. Sales of government publications rose by 13.4 per cent to more than $21.2 million in 1985, compared with $18.7 million in 1984. The Publicity Division also plans and carries out all government publicity campaigns. In addition to continuing major campaigns on Anti-narcotics, Crime Prevention, Industrial Safety, Road Safety, Fire Prevention, Gas Safety, Keep Hong Kong Clean, New Traffic Legislation and the Issue of New Identity Cards, two new ones were launched in 1985. One of these was to increase public awareness and understanding of the further development of representative govern- ment and the electoral processes, and the other was to promote the integration into the community of the disabled, particularly those people who formerly have been mentally ill. About 30 smaller publicity programmes were conducted, such as those concerning illegal structures, anti-smoking, and safety in outdoor pursuits. In support of these campaigns, numerous promotional events were organised through mobile exhibitions, live shows, television and radio programmes as well as competitions.
The News and Public Relations Division of the Hong Kong Government Office in London works closely with GIS to provide a press service on Hong Kong matters for the British media, and enquiry and information services for the public about events and developments in Hong Kong.
The news section monitors British parliamentary proceedings and media coverage of Hong Kong affairs, and keeps the Hong Kong Government informed on a daily basis by telex and facsimile transmission. It also publishes a fortnightly newsletter, Dateline Hong Kong, which is distributed among organisations and individuals with a close interest in Hong Kong.