香港特別行政區行政長官
董建華獻辭

　　香港能夠穩當國際金融商貿樞紐，成為亞洲國際都會，本地報業居功不少。資訊自由流通，向來對工商企業至關重要，在瞬息萬變的全球一體化時代，更是成功關鍵。

　　香港繁榮的另一要素，是提升社會整體語文水平。有見及此，語文教育及研究常務委員會特從語文基金撥款，贊助今屆「最佳新聞獎」六個獎項。

　　舉辦最佳新聞獎，有助提高新聞記者和攝影記者的專業水平。謹向今晚各位得獎者致賀。你們精益求精、力臻至善、探實求真的精神，的確應予表揚。

　　香港報業公會多年來對香港社會貢獻良多，同樣值得讚許。謹借公會五十周年紀慶，衷心致意。

    Hong Kong's newspapers have contributed significantly to our status as an international financial and trade hub-indeed, as Asia's world city. The free flow of information has always been vital to business, and never more so than in this fast-paced era of globalisation.

    Another essential factor in Hong Kong's development is raising the overall language standards of the community. That's why the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research has allocated funds from the Language Fund to sponsor six of the Hong Kong News Awards.

    The Hong Kong News Awards also help foster higher professional standards among our news reporters and photojournalists. To tonight's winners, my congratulations. I salute your excellence, your resourcefulness and your pursuit of quality.

    Last but not least, I congratulate the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong on your 50th anniversary, and commend you for your outstanding work in our community.