ENG-1984 — Page 313

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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

7.5 per cent to more than $18.7 million in 1984, compared with $17.4 million in 1983. The division plans and carries out all government publicity campaigns. In addition to continuing major campaigns on Anti-Narcotics, Crime Prevention, Industrial Safety, Road Safety, Fire Prevention, Gas Safety and the issue of new identity cards, two new ones were launched in 1984, one of which encouraged electoral registration for district boards while the other explained the new Road Traffic Legislation. About 30 smaller campaigns were conducted, such as those concerned with Country Parks, Police Recruitment and Safety in Outdoor Pursuits. In support of these campaigns, numerous promotional events were organised (both at territory-wide and district levels) through live shows, a mobile street theatre and film shows.

The News and Public Affairs Division of the Hong Kong Government Office in London works closely with GIS to provide a press service on Hong Kong matters for the British media, and enquiry and information services for the public about events and developments in Hong Kong. There was heightened interest in Hong Kong affairs during the year, resulting in an increased number of enquiries from the media and the public.

The news section monitors British parliamentary proceedings and media coverage of Hong Kong affairs, and keeps the Hong Kong Government informed on a daily basis by telex and facsimile transmission. It also publishes a fortnightly newsletter, Dateline Hong Kong, which is distributed among organisations and individuals with a close interest in Hong Kong. The public relations section organised Hong Kong 'Gala Evenings' at the Guildhall, London, the City Hall, Cardiff, the Civic Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and a leading hotel in Glasgow. About 500 people attended each event, which included a new multi-screen audio-visual presentation and entertainment by the Hong Kong Dance Company and soloists from the Hong Kong Chinese Music Orchestra, by courtesy of the Urban Council. The public relations section also made arrangements in the United Kingdom for a tour by the Jing Ying Dance Troupe which took part in international folklore festivals at Billingham, Sidmouth and Maidstone. Assistance was given to other visiting Hong Kong groups including the team which represented the territory at the Seventh World Wheelchair Games at Stoke Mandeville.

In common with the London Office, the Hong Kong Government Offices in New York and Brussels were kept busy catering to media interest in Hong Kong's future.

Information Policy

The Secretary for Home Affairs has overall policy responsibility for the government's relations with the media. The main aim is to keep the media informed of the government's policies and thinking, as well as forthcoming events and proposed legislation, thus providing a valuable means of communication with the general public. On this front, the Home Affairs Branch is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the Government Infor- mation Services, Radio Television Hong Kong and much of the work of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority. Apart from formulating policy on a wide range of information and broadcasting matters, the Secretary for Home Affairs advises the government on the presentation of its policies and on public relations matters generally.

Film Industry

By the end of 1984, the number of cinemas in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories stood at 95, compared with 90 in the previous year. As the figure illustrates, the number of cinemas has been increasing over the last few years; however, the new cinemas are smaller and located mainly in the New Territories where there has been a rapid growth in population.