過去三年，香港先後受到中美關係緊張、本地社會事件，以及新冠疫情爆發接連衝擊，對經濟表現及市民生活造成巨大影響，即使社會秩序早已回復正常，但變種病毒未退，出入境尚未能全面通關，營商環境長期受創，傳統新聞媒體不論在社會好景抑或低潮日子，都努力堅守崗位，以專業精神維護新聞質素，將事實呈現在讀者面前，為大眾傳遞資訊及分析。 

近年面對網路媒體蓬勃發展，傳統新聞媒體的格局也有所改變，報業明顯加速電子化及數據化，順應不同受眾的閱讀習慣和需求。報業最大的優勢是擁有一批堅守專業操守的新聞工作者，為讀者提供具公信力及多元化的優質內容，配合媒體融合及科技，有效提升活躍度和流量，用更年輕化、更適合大眾習慣的傳播方式去擴大影響力。

隨茯戔¯鉡穸倥迭A生活逐步復常，經濟有望改善，媒體廣告投放量亦漸回升。然而，受制於社交媒體及搜索平台的掠奪式經營手法，本地報章在發展網上廣告面對不公平競爭，難以從原創內容取得合理收益，連鎖影響報業編採資源及從業員待遇，對社會的負面挫損日益明顯。本會一直促請特區政府研究新聞付費政策，令科企就引用新聞內容向新聞機構支付合理費用，讓新聞業界得到其中一項合理回報，維繫可持續發展願景。

香港報業公會向來堅持以社會公共利益為導向，通過維護新聞素質及堅守專業操守精神，推進社會發展。在此，我謹代表公會感謝社會各界，尤其是所有評審委員及贊助機構，支持公會每年舉辦香港新聞大獎，表揚優秀的新聞報道。衷心祝賀2021年度的得獎者，亦感謝新聞界同業對專業的貢獻和付出。展望未來，香港報業公會定必繼續推動業界發展，提升傳媒的專業水準。

今年迎來香港回歸祖國25周年，是一個非常有意義和值得紀念的日子。本會冀香港經濟繼續騰飛、多元並進，大家一起繼往開來。

Alice Kwok
Chairperson, The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong

Over the past three years, Hong Kong has been hit by a string of events. Tensions between China and the US, social incidents on the domestic front and the Covid-19 pandemic have had a huge impact on the economic performance of the city and people's lives. Though law and order has long returned, Covid-19 variants persist and cross-border movements remain restricted, all of which continue to have an impact on the business environment. But traditional news media remain diligent and committed to their roles regardless of social circumstances, maintaining the quality of news with professionalism so as to present facts to readers and deliver information and analysis to the public.

In recent years, with the vigorous development of online media, traditional news media have also taken on a new aspect. The newspaper industry has significantly accelerated its electronisation and digitalisation to adapt to the diverse reading habits and needs of readers. The biggest advantage of the newspaper industry lies with journalists who adhere to professional ethics and are committed to providing readers with credible, varied and high-quality content. Through media integration and technology, they are effectively increasing the activity level and circulation of news and expanding the influence of coverage through channels of dissemination that are more suitable to the younger generation and general public.

As the pandemic situation is stabilizing, people's lives are gradually returning to normal and the economy is expected to improve, the amount of media advertising has gradually picked up. However, due to the predatory business practices of social media and search platforms, local newspapers are facing unfair competition when developing their online advertisements, making it difficult for them to derive reasonable revenues from their original content. This has, in turn, impacted on the editorial resources of the newspaper industry and the remuneration of journalists, with the negative effects on the public becoming increasingly visible. The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong has been calling on the SAR government to study the possibility of a news payment policy that requires science and technology companies to pay reasonable fees to news organisations for citing news content. This way, the industry can get a reasonable return from its work and maintain sustainable development.

To safeguard the rights and interests of the industry and promote social development, the Society perseveres in pursuing values driven by public interest, maintaining the quality of news and upholding professional ethics. Here, on behalf of the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, I would like to thank all sectors of the community, especially all members of the review committee and our sponsors, for supporting the Society's holding of the Hong Kong News Awards every year to recognize outstanding journalism. I congratulate, with all my heart, the winners of the 2021 Hong Kong News Awards. I would also like to thank all journalists for what they have done for our profession. Looking ahead, the Society will continue to promote the development of the industry and enhance its professional standards.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, a very meaningful and memorable occasion. The Society hopes that Hong Kong's economy will continue to thrive and progress in a diversified manner, and that we will all make advancements together on the strength of our past achievements.