香港特別行政區政務司司長
張建宗先生獻辭

對於新聞界來說，二零一八年是十分充實的一年，廣深港高鐵、港珠澳大橋等跨境基建相繼開通，政府公布新的土地房屋政策，以及未來願景計劃，這些都是公眾關注的重要消息。

言論、新聞和出版自由是本港的核心價值以及繁榮穩定的基石，受到《基本法》保障。香港報業多年來就時事作出長期跟進，廣泛報道和深入分析，讓公眾加深認識，大大有助各界把握機遇，促進社會整體發展，實在貢獻良多。

香港報業公會每年舉辦香港最佳新聞獎，表揚新聞工作者的傑出成就。今屆新聞獎共頒發七十五個獎項，分為報道、寫作、圖片與設計四個組別，嘉許在不同方面表現出色的從業員，提升業界的專業水平。

謹此誠摯祝賀「二零一八年香港最佳新聞獎」各得獎者，並衷心感謝香港報業公會籌辦評選活動。此外，也向來自新聞界、大學及商會的評委致敬；他們的參與，令評審結果更為各界廣泛認受。

最後，謹祝香港報業百尺竿頭，更進一步。

Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung 
Chief Secretary
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

The year 2018 was eventful for the press.  The successive opening of the two cross-boundary infrastructural facilities, namely the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, new policies on land and housing, as well as visionary plans for the future announced by the Government were all important news of public concern.

In Hong Kong, the freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication are the cornerstone for society and are safeguarded by the Basic Law.  By following up on current affairs on a long-term basis for extensive reporting and in-depth analysis to deepen public understanding of social issues, the press in Hong Kong has enabled different sectors to capitalise on the opportunities presented and promoted the overall development of society.  Its contributions are indeed significant.

Every year, the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong organises the Hong Kong News Awards to recognise the outstanding achievements of journalists.  A total of 75 awards are given this year in the four sections of Reporting, Writing, Photography and Design to acknowledge the excellent performance of the awardees and raise professional standards in respective aspects.

I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to all the winners of the Hong Kong News Awards 2018. My heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong for organising the competition.  I would also like to extend my warmest regards to the award adjudicators from the press, universities and chambers of commerce, whose participation has made the outcome of the adjudication more widely received by the public.

Last but not least, I wish the newspaper industry in Hong Kong continued success in the years ahead.