CONFIDENTIAL
June 1987
REPORTING PRIORITIES FOR THE BBC MONITORING SERVICE
INTRODUCTION
1.
This paper combines the requirements of the FCO and the
MOD for reporting by the BBC Monitoring Service (BBC MS). It is
set out in a format which addresses the Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe on one hand and the Rest of the World on the other. The priorities apply to radio, television and certain press and news
agency reporting. The FCO needs can in most circumstances be met through reported speech. The MOD has a greater requirement
for video material. (A guide to the type of detail, both speech
and video, required on defence and related subjects subsumed
under more general headings is in a separate annex).
2.
The highest priority is for material about events which have international implications (eg East-West relations, disarmament, the Middle East, terrorism and the situation in
Southern Africa). Other major priorities are a) in the
reporting of events which are likely to affect British, European
Community, Commonwealth or Western interests, or which may
influence attitudes towards Britain and British policies, and b) coverage of geographical areas where the BBC is the sole or major source of information. These priorities are reflected in
the Category I lists below. On these issues there is a particular need for the rapid reporting of statements, meetings
and decisions which describe new developments and proposals for
policy changes. There is general interest in the items listed as Category II. There is also a need for the rapid reporting of
major political developments in some areas not otherwise
mentioned, except the USA.
CONFIDENTIAL