ENG-2011 — Page 408

352 Communications, the Media and Information Technology

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. These officers serve as Press Secretaries to Principal Officials or work in the 34 information and public relations units in bureaux and departments. 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.

The News Sub-division operates a 24-hour press enquiry service. During typhoons, major disasters and other emergencies, the ISD activates its Combined Information Centre to co-ordinate responses to media enquiries and disseminate information and public announcements in a timely manner.

The Government News and Media Information System (GNMIS) channels press releases, photographs and video clips through a single system accessible to journalists on the internet.

All press releases are uploaded onto the internet at www.info.gov.hk/gia. In addition, major government press conferences and events, including the annual Policy Address by the Chief Executive and the Budget Speech by the Financial Secretary, are webcast live on the internet.

The Government's online news platform, news.gov.hk, is set up to enhance ties between the Government and the general public. Providing a vibrant look and a host of features that can be customised, the website presents news and information seven days a week in a dynamic multimedia fashion. News items and messages are also disseminated more effectively and efficiently through smartphones, mobile devices and social media such as YouTube, Twitter and Sina Weibo. By the end of 2011, news.gov.hk had posted about 7 100 news and feature stories, with more than 900 video highlights. Visitors to the site may sign up for free daily e-mails of news summaries and weekly City Life alerts. The e-bulletin has about 11 900 subscribers, and attracted more than 21 million visitors and 580 million page views in 2011.

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