The Information and Public Relations Section (IPRS) serves as the department's media adviser with an aim of projecting a positive image through the promotion of services, activities and facilities, and the effective dissemination of information to enhance public understanding of the department's work.

In 2005, 80 press conferences and briefings were held, 98 press visits were arranged, 2 245 press releases were issued, 108 posters were produced, 50 television advertisements were produced and 65 exhibitions were organised to achieve that goal. The in-house design and photographic teams also provided essential support to other sections of the department in the production of publicity materials, banners, logos, display panels, backdrops, event programmes, souvenirs, etc.

Concerted publicity, advertising and marketing campaigns were organised by the IPRS during the year to promote a host of spectacular leisure and cultural events. These included the Impressionism: Treasures from the National Collection of France exhibition in February, the annual Hong Kong Flower Show and the From Eastern Han to High Tang: A Journey of Transculturation exhibition in March. The three events attracted over a million attendees.

	The photographic team of the IPRS plays an important role in the production of publicity materials.

	Staff of the IPRS helping at an interview on the Impressionism: Treasures from the National Collection of France exhibition.

Regular publications produced during the year included the Annual Report outlining the department's functions and development, a bi-monthly staff bulletin to cultivate internal relations among the department's 9 000 staff members and a half-yearly magazine to publicise the activities organised by Community Sports Clubs.

To reach out to the ever-increasing population using the Internet, the department maintains an informative web site on which members of the public can access details of services and facilities, information on leisure and cultural programmes, publications and application forms and tender notices. Weekly highlights of major activities in the form of an e-Magazine are directly mailed to about 58 000 subscribers.

In the event of emergencies, such as typhoons or rainstorms, officers of the IPRS are deployed to staff the Emergency Information Centre to issue announcements to keep the public informed of the status of LCSD programmes and activities.

Staff Newsletters and Community Sports Club Bulletins published by the IPRS.

	IPRS staff were assigned to the round-the-clock Departmental Coordination Centre during the World Trade Organisation Hong Kong Ministerial Conference.