The Government today announced the establishment of Government Spokesperson Office to further enhance its communication with the media and the public. The Chief of Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng, has been appointed head of the Office and Government Spokesperson. Mr Tam and the Deputy Spokesperson -- Director of Government Information Bureau Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping -- met the press this afternoon to give more information on the new set-up. The Government Spokesperson Office, which is under the supervision of the Chief Executive, is responsible for the co-ordinated and coherent communication of the Government with media organisations and the public, Mr Tam said. The Office is also responsible for co-ordinating the continued establishment and operation of the spokesperson mechanism of the entire government. Mr Tam said the objective of the establishment of this mechanism is to strengthen the communication of the Government with media organisations and the public, and to provide accurate and timely information to reporters. All public bureaux and entities are obliged to co-ordinate with the Office and provide the necessary information and support. The Government Spokesperson may speak on behalf of the Government and hold press conferences. He said all Principal Officials have also appointed their news and public relations co-ordinators to be in charge of the release and promotion of information, while co-ordinators of bureaux are responsible for liaising with reporters, receiving their inquiries and getting replies from their superiors. The Government Information Bureau will provide all necessary support to the establishment and operation of the spokesperson mechanism. Mr Tam said the Office would hold press conferences in due course: he gave an assurance that officials at all levels would retain their contact with media organisations. The Spokesperson Office would issue guidelines to all co-ordinators to further delineate and streamline their duties, he added.
