ENG-2000 — Page 414

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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of the Government's plans, policies and activities, and to promote Hong Kong's image abroad.

Information Services Department

The Information Services Department (ISD) serves as the Government's public relations consultant, publisher, advertising agent and news agency. It provides the link between the Administration and the media and, through the latter, enhances public understanding of government policies, decisions and activities.

The department is organised into six divisions News and Media Research, Public Relations, Publicity, Overseas Public Relations, Visits, and Administration. It has a staff of 541, of whom 323 are Information Grade officers. A significant number of these information officers — 176 operate outside ISD headquarters to provide information, publicity and public relations services to policy bureaux and their departments. A small number are posted to the overseas offices of the HKSAR Government.

The ISD has been implementing progressively an information system to improve the quality of its services through computer links. It issues press releases to news organisations through the computerised Government News Information System and to the public through the Government Information Centre (GIC) (http://www.info.gov.hk), the Internet home page of the HKSAR Government. The GIC also provides links to more than 150 home pages of government agencies and related organisations. The Digital Photo System allows news organisations to search on-line and download government photographs round-the-clock.

In a further development, live broadcasts of press conferences were introduced on the Internet early in the year, representing a major step forward in disseminating information on government activities, both locally and internationally. All major press conferences and briefings in particular those given by the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary are broadcast live, and the proceedings kept for reference in a video archive that is accessible through the GIC.

News and Media Research Division

The News Subdivision maintains direct contact with the media on a 24-hour basis. It disseminates government information to over 100 newspapers, news agencies, television and radio stations, and other organisations.

The subdivision processes press releases in Chinese and English and despatches them to media organisations through a computerised broadcast system. These press releases are automatically uploaded onto the GIC within a few minutes to give the public direct access. News photographs are issued to media organisations through the on-line Digital Photo System.

A 24-hour press enquiry service is operated. During typhoons, severe rainstorms or any other emergency, extra teams of officers working in shifts operate a communications control centre to disseminate the latest information on the situation to the media and the public.

The subdivision also has a comprehensive press library that holds press cuttings. and copies of all government press releases. It is available for use by journalists, researchers and students.