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THE MEDIA

News Division The News Division is responsible for channelling to the media all government informa- tion. It is directly linked with all major groups of the news media by its teleprinter and facsimile networks. As news in English is transmitted over the teleprinter network, news in Chinese is sent simultaneously over the facsimile transmitter.

In addition, a daily information bulletin in both Chinese and English is produced. It is distributed to more than 120 newspapers, news agencies, and television and radio stations. Two or three television newsclips on various aspects of government activity are produced each week for showing on Hong Kong's television channels.

The News Division operates an enquiry desk that deals day and night with queries, primarily from journalists, on various aspects of government work. A comprehensive press and reference library is also maintained and is used daily by many local and overseas journalists, as well as by students.

During typhoons, severe rainstorms or any other emergency, the division is quickly transformed into a communications centre manned by teams of officers working in shifts to keep the public informed, through the media, of up-to-the-minute develop- ments. Liaison officers are also deployed to key departments directly involved to ensure a comprehensive flow of information.

Publicity Division

The Publicity Division consists of three sub-divisions: publicity and marketing, creative, and editorial and publications. The various services provided are available to all government departments requiring specialist advice and help on publicity

matters.

The Publicity and Marketing Sub-division is responsible for co-ordinating a large number of government campaigns on subjects such as crime prevention, road safety, fire prevention, anti-narcotics and police recruitment. The sub-division also promotes the Clean Hong Kong Campaign, sponsored by the Urban Council, and the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival.

The organisation of visits overseas by cultural groups from Hong Kong has become another major activity for the sub-division. A special troupe, the Hong Kong Schools Chinese Dance Team, made a highly successful visit to Canada in the summer to take part in the Commonwealth Arts Festival.-

The Creative Sub-division provides specialised publicity services covering many fields of visual presentation, including displays, exhibitions, posters, photographs and film material. Extensive use is made of these services in promoting government cam- paigns, including the production of public message commercials for television. The sub-division is also responsible for devising layouts and cover illustrations for a wide range of government publications.

The Editorial and Publications Sub-division is responsible for producing publica- tions about Hong Kong and selling those printed. A series of books under the general title, This is Hong Kong, is being further developed. The aim is to disseminate informa- tion about features of Hong Kong that have not been widely publicised. Two titles in this series have already appeared and others are in production.

A government publications centre provides the public with modern bookshop facilities. Publications produced by the government also are available through a chain