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THE MEDIA

Association, it produces a two-hour programme each evening aimed at visitors to Hong Kong. The programme includes a half-hour segment in Japanese by a Japanese radio personality specially brought to Hong Kong by the tourist association.

The English service also featured outside broadcasts of sporting events throughout the year, with on-the-spot reports from the Wimbledon tennis championships, the British Open golf championships, and the World Cup golf championship in Manila. Local events covered 'live' by the station included the Ready-to-Wear Festival, the Arts Festival and the opening of the Arts Centre.

The channel's popular and sometimes controversial talk-back shows were extended to six mornings a week.

Commercial Radio continued its involvement in community affairs, and staged several successful charity events in conjunction with the Urban Council. It raised more than $300,000 for the Community Chest in sponsored walks, and its annual Songs to Remember concerts raised more than $35,000 for the Ebenezer School and Home for the Blind.

Government Information Services

The Government Information Services (GIS) forms a major link between the govern- ment, the people of Hong Kong and the rest of the world. The department is organised in three main divisions news, publicity and public relations - with certain services. common to all three.

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A network of information units has been established in key government depart- ments to develop closer relations with both the Press and public. There are now 16 of these units staffed by information grade officers.

The department maintains close relations with the Hong Kong Government Office in London, which it supplies with a daily news round-up by telex and fuller details by airmail.

News Division —__

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The News Division is responsible for channelling to the media all government informa- tion, varying from statements on government policy and action to routine notices and weather reports. It is directly linked with all major groups of the media by its tele- printer and fascimile networks, which operate daily round the clock, including weekends and on public holidays. As news in English is transmitted over the tele- printer network, news in Chinese is sent simultaneously over the facsimile transmitter. The editorial desk is the hub around which the division's operation revolves. It produces a daily information bulletin in both Chinese and English for distribution to more than 120 newspapers, news agencies, and television and radio stations. This supplements the teleprinter and facsimile services.

The News Division also operates an inquiry desk that deals day and night with queries, primarily from journalists, on various aspects of government work. A research unit has been established to produce background information and briefing material on major matters of public interest. This provides a ‘bank' of knowledge for use when dealing with the Press. A comprehensive Press and reference library also is maintained and is used daily by many local and overseas journalists and also by school by students.