COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
The government is currently preparing data protection legislation suitable for Hong Kong, based on the Law Reform Commission's recommendations in its report on reform of the law relating to the protection of personal data, published in August 1994. The legislation aims to protect the individual's right to privacy with respect to personal data, and to safeguard the free flow of personal data to Hong Kong. It will be based on internationally-accepted principles governing the collection, holding, processing and use of personal data, including the right of individuals to access and correct their own personal data.
Provision has been made for the funding of an independent regulatory body to enforce the proposed data protection legislation on the basis of an annual recurrent budget of $23 million.
Printing and Publishing
A reputation for good printing quality, quick and reliable delivery and competitive prices continues to boost the international status of Hong Kong's printing industry. The territory is a leading centre for printing and publishing, with 4 827 printing establishments employing 42 621 people, and more than 200 publishing houses, including many from overseas which have set up offices or regional headquarters in the territory. Hong Kong printers are investing substantially in advanced machinery and equipment, and are taking positive steps to develop the United States market.
The industry constitutes 14.2 per cent of all manufacturing establishments and 9.7 per cent of employment in the manufacturing sector. A majority of the printing factories (74.7 per cent) are engaged in general jobbing work, and most of the remainder deal with related work such as typesetting and book-binding. There are also 20 newspaper printers.
Use of the latest technology, especially computerised equipment, has enabled the industry to become highly specialised. The local electronics industry contributes to the plant and equipment of both the more sophisticated printing companies and publishers, who are becoming increasingly involved in the use of data and word-processing systems for editorial production and stock control. The output data can be converted or interfaced with typesetting equipment at a realistic cost, to provide publishers with the additional benefits of fast and cost-efficient printing. An increasing number of Chinese language word-processors are being installed to meet demand.
Domestic exports of printed matter increased in value terms by two per cent over the previous year. Material printed locally with a total value of $4,520 million was exported, with the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Japan being the main customers. Books, pamphlets, newspapers, journals and periodicals accounted for 67 per cent of exports of printed products. The biggest customers for this reading material were the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Overall, the printing and publishing industries contributed around 5.6 per cent of the gross output of the manufacturing sector.
Telecommunications Services
Hong Kong continues to enjoy a wide range of efficient telecommunications services at fair and reasonable prices. Under the Telephone Ordinance, the Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited has the exclusive right until June 30, 1995, to provide a public voice telephonic service by wire within Hong Kong. Hong Kong Telecom International Limited
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