19
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
274
IN Hong Kong, freedom of expression is exercised and enjoyed in all forms of news reporting and editorial comment.
The dynamism of Hong Kong's print and electronic news media, with its wide coverage and sharp focus on local and international events, fits well with the vibrant life-style of the people of Hong Kong.
Major news topics in dramatic, eventful 1989 were undoubtedly headed by the events of May and June in the People's Republic of China, and their immediate and longer-term - implications for Hong Kong. Other subjects that attracted considerable editorial comment included the influx of Vietnamese boat people, increasing emigration from Hong Kong, the campaign for right of abode status in Britain and environmental pollution.
The availability in Hong Kong of the latest in telecommunications technology helps to ensure a constant flow of up-to-the-minute information, and this, together with increasing interest in Hong Kong affairs, attracts international news media representatives to establish their regional bases here.
About 100 news agencies, newspapers with international coverage and readership and overseas broadcasting corporations have offices in Hong Kong. Regional publications produced here have flourished, reflecting the territory's position as a financial, industrial, trading and communications centre.
Catering to the people are more than 60 daily newspapers, nearly 600 periodicals, two private television companies, one government radio-television station, one commercial radio station, and one radio service station for the British Forces. To keep abreast of the latest technology, the government has approved the establishment of a cable television network in Hong Kong, starting in 1991.
The news media also play a significant role in the territory's precautionary measures against sudden climatic threats, alerting, informing and advising the public in the event of approaching typhoons or rainstorms.
Rapid advances and innovations in the communications field have enabled the Hong Kong Government to expand its information services. In keeping with this trend, and to promote community participation and civic education, the government now produces and contributes to an increasing number of public affairs programmes on radio and television.
Information Policy
The Information Co-ordinator in the Chief Secretary's Office has overall policy responsibility for the government's relations with the media, while the Information Services Department is the executive agency for implementing that policy. The main aim is to keep