Settlement), and details are in the respective chapters.
We have progressively, with the agreement of the FCO and now within the terms of greater flexibility, been increasing the hours on air of our existing services.
HOURS OF DIRECT BROADCASTS
26/3
25/3
31/3
29/3
16/11
1989
1990
1991
1992
1992
777
786
778
818
847
This has been done from the existing Grant in Aid allocation, and demonstrates a real increase in productivity. We aim to continue the process in a phased manner over the next Triennium. However, we shall need some new money to move towards the year 2000 goal set out above of - as a general principle - a minimum of four hours a day per service, as well as increases in some important services which already exceed that minimum. We have indicated the priority we attach to these additions and when we would like to introduce them, although the timing should be considered as indicative rather then definite. Circumstances could necessitate adjustment. In the case of new languages, we have also with the agreement and indeed encouragement of the FCO - introduced from within the overall Grant in Aid services in Ukrainian and Albanian.
-
There are six more languages in which we believe we should now be broadcasting. These are Telegu, Malayalam, Kannada, Nguni/Sotho, Azeri, and Uzbek. The detailed reasons are set out in the appropriate regional sections, but they are all languages spoken by large numbers in areas where the need for unbiased and accurate information is acute and where there is also a demand for basic educational and English-learning material. We indicate the priority we attach to these languages.
In preparation for the last Triennium, we reviewed all the languages in which we broadcast, to see whether resources for new services or extensions of services could be found by proposing the closure or curtailment of existing ones. During the Triennium negotiations, it was decided to close services in Japanese and Malay, as being insufficiently effective. Overall, however, our conclusion then, re-examined during the WS2000 strategy process, still seems valid:
"In preparing its strategy for the nineties, World Service cannot say that there are services which could be ended without loss even small services broadcast by short wave reach larger numbers of people than any other form of communication for the same cost. Nor can it be said with confidence that any particular language will not be very significant some time in the future. It takes years to recruit and train suitable staff and to establish a presence and a reputation among listeners. Once a service exists, it can become required listening very suddenly: it is
B 10