ENG-2007 — Page 399

Communications, the Media and Information Technology 335

Several organisations represent people working in the news media in Hong Kong. The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong represents Chinese and English newspaper organisations. It is empowered to act in matters that affect the interests of its members.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association is the biggest industry-wide union of journalists and one of the most active. Formed in 1968, it has more than 400 members. It pays special attention to a range of press freedoms and ethics concerns as well as to professional training and the handling of labour disputes. Other media organisations include the Hong Kong News Executives' Association, the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association. The long-established Foreign Correspondents' Club offers its members social facilities and a range of professional activities, including news conferences and briefings.

During the year, the Mass Communications Training Board of the Vocational Training Council continued to run training programmes to help people working in the media, advertising and public relations sectors to improve their skills. The board also co-organised courses, talks and seminars with professional bodies such as the Hong Kong News Executives' Association, the Hong Kong Advertisers Association, the Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals' Association, the Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists.

Information Policy

The Secretary for Home Affairs has overall responsibility for policy formation on information and related matters, while the Director of Information Services advises the Government on the presentation of its policies, and on public relations matters generally, in Hong Kong and overseas. The main aims are to ensure an open exchange of information in the community, to keep the media fully informed of government 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, news agency, publisher and advertising agent. 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 comprises four divisions: Local Public Relations, Publicity and Promotions, Public Relations Outside Hong Kong, and Administration.

Local Public Relations Division

The division oversees the work of Information Grade officers seconded to government bureaux and departments. They serve as Press Secretaries to Principal Officials or work in the 34 bureau and department information and public relations units. They help formulate and implement public relations and publicity strategies, advise their bureau or department heads on public relations matters, answer media enquiries and questions from the public, prepare press releases, and organise press conferences and special promotional activities.