COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
of the government's plans and policies, so that members of the public are kept aware of government activities which affect their lives, and to promote Hong Kong's image
overseas.
Information Services Department
The Information Services Department, also known as Government Information Services (GIS), serves as the government's public relations consultant, publisher, advertising agent and news agency. It provides the link between the administration and the media and, through the latter, enhances public understanding of government policies, decisions and activities.
The department is organised into six divisions News and Media Research, Public Relations, Publicity, Overseas Public Relations, Visits, and Administration. It has a staff of about 570, of whom some 375 are Information Grade officers. The majority of these officers operate outside GIS Headquarters to provide information, publicity and public relations services to policy branches and their departments. A few are posted to Hong Kong Government offices overseas.
In 1994, GIS began to implement an information systems strategy to improve the quality of its services through the quicker dissemination of information and more efficient communication links. The first stage involved the use of the Government News Information System to, among other things, issue press releases to news organisations via computers. The information systems strategy has been fully implemented and extended to all departmental operations following the computerisation of the GIS press library in August 1996.
In mid-1996, the GIS started planning for a new GIS Digital Photo System. This will allow news organisations to do on-line searching and down-loading of government photographs in digital format. The system is expected to be ready in April 1997.
In December 1995, GIS launched a Hong Kong Government Home Page (http://www.info.gov.hk) on the Internet through which essential information on Hong Kong can be accessed. It now provides a linkage to more than 60 home pages of government agencies and related organisations. The government has adopted a policy to encourage use of the Internet for the dissemination of government information. The GIS is establishing a Resource Centre to help branches and departments set up home pages and to consider how the government could improve the dissemination of information through better use of the Internet. The government home page is entitled Hong Kong Government Information Centre.
News and Media Research Division
The News Division maintains direct contact with the media on a 24-hour basis. It disseminates government information to over 80 newspapers, news agencies, television and radio stations, and other organisations.
The division produces a daily information bulletin in English and Chinese, which contains about 20 of the more important press releases on an average day. It runs a press enquiry service which operates round the clock.
It has a comprehensive press library, holding press cuttings and copies of all government press releases, and a smaller reference library for use by journalists, researchers and students.
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