ENG-1960 — Page 297

16

Publications, Broadcasting and Films

PRESS

HONG KONG'S rapidly increasing population and rising rate of literacy mean that the already large and active press must still grow. At the end of the year the Registrar of Newspapers listed 191 periodicals and publications of all kinds. Of these, 38 appear daily and 26 once or twice a week. The remainder are mainly magazines in Chinese, catering for readers with special interests. There are four daily and three weekly English-language news- papers. A list of some of the leading publications- is at Appendix XI.

Unofficial estimates put the total circulation of Chinese-language morning and afternoon papers at about half a million, but since there are no audited figures of circulations or certified net sales, these estimates must be taken with reserve. Many papers-un- doubtedly have small circulations, but their influence should not be underestimated on this account. They have a steady following among different sections of the community and become an invalu- able forum for public opinion when occasion arises.

The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong has 18 members and their journals may be regarded as the Colony's principal news- papers. Recognized leaders among the Chinese morning papers are the Wah Kiu Yat Po (Overseas Chinese Daily News), Sing Tao Jih Pao, and Kung Sheung Yat Po (Industrial and Commercial Daily), all of which maintain a good balance between foreign and local news and are, generally speaking, non-partisan in politics. All three also publish afternoon editions, while another popular non-political daily, the Sing Pao, has no afternoon edition.

Orthodox Chinese communist policies are voiced in the Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Pao and New Evening Post, whilst the Hong Kong Times speaks for the Nationalist régime in Taiwan. Other Chinese newspapers which are members of the Newspaper Society are the