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 is organised into four divisions: Local Public Relations, Publicity and Promotions, Public Relations Outside Hong Kong, and Administration.

ISD launched a web-based news dissemination system in August, which greatly enhanced its service to the media. The Government News and Media Information System (GNMIS) integrates the distribution of press releases, photographs and video clips in one single system accessible to journalists via the Internet.

All press releases are also uploaded on to the Government Information Centre (GIC), www.gov.hk, the Government's Internet home page. 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 GIC.

By year-end, the Government's e-bulletin, www.news.gov.hk, had posted 8 888 news stories and features. It also developed and posted dozens of short videos to its Reel HK page, and more than 80 new image collections to its Photo Gallery page. Visitors to the site can sign up to receive free daily e-mails of news summaries, weekly City Life alerts and HK for Kids updates. The e-bulletin now has about 6 300 subscribers.

The e-bulletin attracted about 2.8 million visitors during 2005 and nearly 200 million hits.

Local Public Relations Division

The division oversees the work of Information Grade officers seconded to government bureaux and departments. Eleven of the officers serve as Press Secretaries to Principal Officials and the remainder work in the 35 bureau and department information and public relations units. They advise their bureau/department heads on public relations matters, answer media enquiries and questions from the public, prepare press releases for issue to the media, and organise press conferences and special promotional activities. Eleven teams of officers from these units serve in the bureaux of the Government Secretariat and help to formulate and implement public relations and publicity policy.

The News Sub-division operates a 24-hour press enquiry service. During typhoons, major disasters or any other emergency, ISD will activate its Combined Information Centre to disseminate the latest information on the situation and government responses to the media round the clock.

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 comments 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 helps bureaux and departments mount publicity campaigns and activities locally and outside Hong Kong by giving strategic advice on planning and technical support. It is also responsible for advertising, creative design, photography and many of the Government's publications. The larger local campaigns conducted or supported by the division during the year covered a wide range of subjects from large events such as promotion of the World Trade Organisation Hong Kong Ministerial Conference to public education on the prevention of avian influenza.

Outside Hong Kong, it assists in the organisation of major promotional activities ranging from high-level business conferences, keynote addresses, exhibitions and tourism promotions to social and cultural events in principal cities.

The division handles about 4 500 titles and produces a wide variety of government publications, including the Hong Kong Annual Report and its Internet version. A large number of free publications, such as booklets, leaflets, fact sheets, brochures, posters and government forms, are distributed by the division each year. In 2005, the division sold 440 250 government books and miscellaneous printed items through its sales outlet and online bookstore. Photographs are also sold by the division.

Public Relations Outside Hong Kong Division

The division helps develop and implement the Government's overseas public relations and communications strategy. Its Overseas Public Relations Sub-division works closely with the Government's Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) to monitor and promote Hong Kong's image overseas. The sub-division also handles requests and enquiries from foreign media organisations and correspondents based in Hong Kong, runs a programme for visiting journalists and distributes promotional material on Hong Kong worldwide.

The Brand Management Unit is responsible for Brand Hong Kong, the visual identity of the HKSAR. The brand is used to promote Hong Kong as Asia's world city through a variety of channels locally and overseas. The unit, in conjunction with government departments and the private sector, organises activities for international audiences overseas and in Hong Kong showcases the city's attractions for visitors and the business community.

The Visits and International Conferences Sub-division runs the department's Sponsored Visitors Programme through which opinion-formers and decision makers are invited to visit Hong Kong as guests of the Government to enhance their understanding of the SAR. The sub-division also arranges programmes for other non-sponsored visitors coming to Hong Kong on private visits. In addition, it runs an Overseas Speakers Programme to reinforce foreign investors' confidence in Hong Kong. Arrangements are made for senior government officials and prominent local personalities to address targeted audiences abroad.