ENG-2004 — Page 451

Communications, the Media and Information Technology 389

weekly City Life alerts and weekly HK for Kids updates. The bulletin currently has more than 5 100 subscribers.

During the year, news.gov.hk attracted more than 1 million visitors and nearly 90 million hits.

Local Public Relations Division

The division oversees the work of Information Grade officers seconded to government bureaux and departments. It identifies and monitors controversies and advises these officers in helping their client bureaux and departments to formulate and develop public relations strategies. It also coordinates the officers' work regarding complex issues to ensure consistency. It has responsibility for the overall management of information Grade officers in the units and ensures effective deployment and utilisation of staff resources.

While some Information Grade officers serve as Press Secretaries to Directors of Bureaux, most are seconded to 36 information units operating in government bureaux and departments. These units work closely with ISD headquarters on information, public relations and publicity aspects concerning the work of their bureaux or departments. They play a major role in maintaining the flow of information and helping to improve relations with the public.

The News Sub-division maintains direct contact with the media on a 24-hour basis. It disseminates government information to 63 newspapers, news agencies, television and radio stations, and other organisations. The sub-division processes press releases in Chinese and English and dispatches them to media organisations through a computerised broadcast system. These press releases are also uploaded simultaneously to the GIC to give the public direct access. The sub-division operates a 24-hour press enquiry service. During typhoons, severe rainstorms or any other emergency, extra teams of officers working in shifts operate a Combined Information Centre to disseminate the latest information on the situation to the media and the public.

The Media Research Sub-division keeps the Government informed of public opinion as expressed in the news media. It produces daily reports summarising news and editorial comment in the Chinese and English press as well as on radio and television. It also produces special reports on subjects of interest to the Government.

Publicity and Promotions Division

The Publicity and Promotions Division assists bureaux and departments in mounting publicity activities locally and outside Hong Kong. It provides strategic advice on planning as well as technical support for implementation. It is also responsible for advertising and much of the Government's publication, creative design and photographic work. The larger local campaigns conducted or supported by the division during the year covered a wide range of subjects: from Brand Hong Kong, Voter Registration, Legislative Council Election, Fire Safety, Road Safety and New ID Card to Prevention of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndome (SARS) and Dengue Fever, Fight Crime and Promotion of the Basic Law.