Hong Kong, with a population of about 7.54 million, is predominantly Chinese and serves as a major financial and media hub. The city’s media landscape features print and digital newspapers and magazines, digital satellite and pay-tv channels, alongside three domestic free television licensees providing extensive programming.
Print newspapers and magazines are still on sale in Hong Kong at convenience stores and stalls yet ride on any MTR train in the morning and it's rare to see anyone reading a paper. The smartphone is synonymous with the daily routine of many people and is an electronic hub for access to information from multiple sources.
But what about media relations in Hong Kong? Well, we’ve put together a mini-guide for you.
Media Relations In Hong Kong
- Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the best days for media events. Because some assignment editors will not assign reporters until late the previous day, Monday media events mean media follow-ups have to take place on Saturday or Sunday night. Fridays are often when journalists write their stories.
- Face-to-Face: When it comes to media engagement, journalists prefer face-to-face meetings and not mass video conferencing sessions. The media landscape is highly competitive, so an opportunity to meet the spokesperson in person is preferable and an opportunity to ask questions tailored to the journalist's angle.
- Language: Hong Kong recognises both Chinese and English as its official languages. English is widely used by the government, and legal, professional, and business communities. For reference, according to the HKSAR Government, primary languages spoken in Hong Kong are Cantonese: 88.2%; Putonghua: 2.3%; other Chinese dialects: 2.8%; English: 4.6%; other languages: 2.1%.
- Media Gifts: Can still be given and a way to build goodwill. It’s not a necessity.
- Media Trips: These are mostly accepted by media in Hong Kong. All travel, accommodation, visa costs, and per diem is paid for by the client.
- Media: Hong Kong is home to a diverse range of Chinese and English media outlets, including newspapers, television stations, radio broadcasters, and digital platforms. Chinese media coverage is read in Hong Kong and southern China.
- Online Press Kits: A QR code or URL link for journalists to scan upon registration is normal yet see 12) below.
- Other: tend to be trilingual (Cantonese, Putonghua and English) but we always have someone on standby in case there are language issues. PowerPoint presentations can be in English.
- Partnerships: Due to the tight advertising revenue potential, a few publications seek sponsored partnerships, meaning earned media is harder. Not impossible, just more challenging.
- Photo Opportunity: These are a must have in any media event and it’s common for interviewees to be photographed with the company logo in the background. If a press event, having the spokespeople hold something or doing an action offers the media something interesting to photo or video. This creation of a media opportunity can be as simple as holding up a foam board with the logo.
- Pressure: Q1 2025 isn't yet over and yet media events are on fire, especially those of enterprise and consumer technology firms. While this is good news, events put media under pressure because of 15) below. Rather than try to compete, it's better to choose dates and times that are clash-free so media can attend both.
- Print Outs: While environmentally unfriendly, journalists like to write notes on the release or PPT or both at events. More so if the presentation is in English. Some journalists will record the whole media engagement.
- Privacy: We know of at least one senior journalist who refuses to opt in for any media database service as they see it as an invasion of their privacy. Many reporters use their own mobile for work and don't want to get pitched by people they don't know (see 14) below.
- Relationships: These are more important than ever. Some journalists do not respond to anyone they don't know whether that's an email, mobile or WhatsApp, or other pitch.
- Resource Poor: Many publications are resource poor, meaning the reporter needs to cover multiple events and act as the photographer.
- Story Publication: 1 day to 2-3 weeks. Although this may be longer due to a few factors.
- Time: After 10am and before 5pm is a general rule of thumb for an interview, group media interview or other press event.
- Translations: Media materials are translated to help the Chinese media write their stories. If not, there is a high risk of zero coverage.
- Written Word: Traditional Chinese is used in Hong Kong whereas Simplified Chinese is used on the Mainland.
Tier 1 Chinese Media (Sample)
- E-zone
- HK01
- Hong Kong Economic Journal
- Hong Kong Economic Times
- IT Pro
- Ming Pao Daily News
- Oriental Daily News
- PC Market
- RTHK
- Sing Tao Daily
- Tech Apple
- TVB
- Unwire.Pro
- Wen Wei Po
- Wepro180
Tier 1 English Media (Sample)
- ALM
- Bloomberg
- CNBC
- CNN
- CXOCIETY
- FinanceAsia
- Financial Times
- Hong Kong Business
- Hubbis.com
- Law.com
- Reuters
- RTHK
- South China Morning Post
- The Corporate Treasurer
- TVB
See this case study on for reference about a media relations programme by Eight PR for Charles Russell Speechlys, the international law firm..
About Eight PR
Eight Public Relations is a PR agency in Hong Kong that offers tailored, innovative strategies to enhance client reputations, drive growth opportunities, and establish brands. Our services include public relations, media relations, analyst relations, compelling content creation, and leveraging our global B2B network.
We are a supporting partner for the upcoming Wiki Finance Expo in Hong Kong and have showcased our commitment to innovation at various industry events.