ENG-1989 — Page 329

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

Hong Kong are Associated Press, Reuters, United Press International and Agence France Presse. Newsweek and Time magazines have editions printed in Hong Kong, which is also the base for the regional magazines Asiaweek and the Far Eastern Economic Review, as well as the Asian Wall Street Journal and the International Herald Tribune.

Several organisations represent and cater for people working in the news media in Hong Kong. The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong represents Chinese and English newspaper proprietors. It is empowered to act in matters affecting the interests of its members. The Hong Kong Journalists Association, founded in 1968, is the only territory-wide trade union for local journalists. It seeks to recommend better training, pay and conditions in journalism, and advises its members in the event of disputes with employers. As an active member of the International Federation of Journalists, it plays a significant role in the international press freedom movement, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The Foreign Correspondents' Club offers its members social facilities and a range of professional activities, including news conferences, briefings and films. The Hong Kong Press Club provides an opportunity for journalists to meet socially.

The Journalism Training Board provides up-grading courses for working journalists. With an allocation of some $200,000 from the Vocational Training Council, the board conducted six courses in 1989, the most popular being the annual Journalism Symposium. Two experienced journalists from Malaysia and the Philippines were invited to give a two-day seminar on 'Newsroom Management' as part of the symposium.

In collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the board conducted a survey to monitor the training needs for reporters. The information obtained helps in the formu- lation of future training plans.

Following the recommendations of a recent manpower survey, the Vocational Train- ing Council established an Advertising, Public Relations and Publishing Training Board during the year.

Hong Kong's Image Overseas

Overview

One of the main objectives of the government's information policy is to project a proper image of Hong Kong to overseas communities.

In this task, the Information Co-ordinator's office maintains close contact with the government's overseas offices, and consuls-general and commissioners of foreign countries in Hong Kong. Influential politicians, parliamentarians, government officials and busi- nessmen from countries with close relations with Hong Kong are invited to visit Hong Kong. Suitable programmes of visits and briefings are drawn up for them.

Programmes of overseas speaking arrangements for senior government officials and prominent local personalities are also co-ordinated by the Information Co-ordinaor's office. Suitable platforms are arranged for them to speak for Hong Kong before targetted audiences including editorial boards of overseas press in North America, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and other European countries.

In view of the widespread international interest in some of the major issues confronting Hong Kong, all these activities by the government have been significantly stepped up. They are also complemented by other activities such as participation in international seminars and cultural events, placement of articles in overseas newspapers, and where appropriate, programmes organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourist Association, chambers of commerce and major private sector companies.

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