ENG-1961 — Page 316

PUBLICATIONS, BROADCASTING AND FILMS

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Taiwan administration, the Antara News Agency of Indonesia, and the Japanese agencies, Jiji Press and Kyodo News Service.

PUBLISHING

Hong Kong has a big and flourishing printing industry capable of supplying local needs as well as those of south-east Asia.

All books printed in Hong Kong are required by law to be registered with the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. One thousand three hundred and eighty three books were registered during the year-an increase of 40% over 1960. The vast majority of these books were in the Chinese language, the most notable exceptions being the English publications of the University Press and a number of business guides, directories and textbooks. Of the Chinese books registered, 48% were general literature, such as fiction and poetry; 25.6% textbooks for use in Chinese schools in Hong Kong and south-east Asia; 5% science; and the remainder dealt with religious, social and political subjects.

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

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Basically the task of the Information Services Department is to keep both the people of Hong Kong and people overseas accurately informed of Government's achievements and aims. This apparently simple formula covers a wide range of activities from the prepara- tion of broadcast news bulletins, news items for the domestic press, and illustrated feature articles for overseas publication to mass publicity campaigns about subjects such as fire prevention and public health. To meet these commitments the Department is divided into two main working divisions. The Press Division is responsible for a round-the-clock minute-to-minute dissemination of news to newspapers and broadcasting organizations both in Hong Kong and overseas. The Publicity Division is geared to the production of films, newsreels, photo-features, photographs, books, leaflets, posters, cinema-slides, and is responsible for the adminis- tration and placing of all Government advertising.

In addition to this day-to-day work, constant demands are made upon the advice and services of the Department's senior personnel by visiting journalists, radio commentators and television person- alities who come to Hong Kong. During the year 1961, 401 such