The media in Hong Kong have played a key role in helping to transform the economy into one centred on information and services. This role is expected to be even more pivotal in the future, as information becomes more essential to economic development.

It is important to become multi-skilled and to be willing to adapt to new forms of media as they emerge and challenge the traditional ones. Building a network of contacts from various disciplines while in university is essential. In addition to journalism, social science and communications graduates, opportunities in this industry are available for graduates from all disciplines in management and support functions, such as sales, marketing, legal, financial, business development and IT.

 

Broadcasting

Hong Kongis a regional broadcasting hub, with 17 satellite broadcasters uplinking signals from the SAR. The broadcasting sector is subject to volatile shifts in structure and technology, especially as multiple platforms, such as the Internet and mobile phones, emerge for broadcasting audiovisual content.

To stand out from the crowd in this ever-changing environment, it is essential to gain as much practical, hands-on, wide-ranging media-related experience as you can while still in university. Join media societies, direct plays, work as a DJ, write for local newspapers, maintain a blog – no experience will go to waste.

 

Journalism and Publishing

About 90 international media organisations have offices in Hong Kong, which is also the base for regional publications like the Far Eastern Economic Review, International Herald Tribune and Nihon Keisai Shimbun. Entry into this field is open to all disciplines – skilled writers of every background are in demand. 

Publishing is business, and the business of publishing is information and entertainment. The product range is huge – ranging from business reports to children’s board books to DVDs – with an increasing growth in electronic products: websites, real-time financial information, online study guides and computer games to name a few.

Jobs in this area are the same as other product industries – sales, marketing, finance, production control and distribution. What distinguishes this industry is the editorial function, which demands excellent language skills as a starting point. Knowledge of web languages, MS Office and desktop publishing software are also becoming increasingly important as more publishers are distributing electronically. 

 

Positions / Job Titles Offered                    

• Trainee Reporters
• Trainee Sub-Editors
• Editorial Assistant
• Photographers                   

 

Typical Job Nature/ Job Duties

Reporters:

• To report and write clearly on the facts of a story within deadlines

Editor:

• To formulate policies and preparing publication budgets
• To oversee editorial content and management of the product
• To manage editorial department and are responsible for recruitment, training, motivation, liaising with various departments
• To maintain good relationship with readers, advertisers and suppliers 

News Editor:

• To give daily assignments to reporters and to assign feature stories
• To go through each item the reporters bring in before passing them to the chief sub-editor
• To supervise reporters and co-ordinate with overseas correspondents

Chief Sub-Editor:

• Being responsible for the sub-editors who edit copy from news agencies and from the organisation’s own reporters
• To supervise the layout or the pages and has to be alert to discrepancies in the details if the copy he edits
• To polish the language of the reporter
• To write bright, informative and accurate headlines

 

General Requirements         

• Degree holder in journalism or communications is an advantage
• Independent, fair, accurate, honest and responsible
• Decent both in way of presenting news and in which one go about obtaining those news
• Excellent writing skills in both English and Chinese
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadline

 

Related Associations/Useful Links

Office of the Communications Authority

http://ofca.gov.hk

 

(Sources from The CUHK Careers Guide 2012)