to the public that there were disorders in Kowloon was broad- cast just before 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday 10th, October. Although both services closed down just after the normal time of 11.30 p.m. on the 10th, staff stood by during the night in case it became necessary to put the transmitters on the air and to start broadcasting services. In the event, both services opened at 7 a.m. on the morning of the 11th. Between that time and the resumption of normal services on the 16th, both services were on the air for a total of 64 hours in addition to normal broadcasting hours. On the 11th, the English service was on the air from 0700-0230 on the 12th, and the Chinese service from 0700-0300 on the 12th.
30.
Announcements regarding the disturbances were broad- cast at half hourly intervals and the value of broadcasting was demonstrated during the periods of curfew in Kowloon when residents in the area relied on Radio Hong Kong and Rediffusion as their only sources of information. The Officer Administering the Government broadcast a message on the evening of October 11th, the Colonial Secretary on the morning of the 13th, and the Governor on the evening of Sunday 14th October. Two reports on the disturbances were made by the Acting Controller of Broadcasting for the B.B.C's. Radio Newsreel.
With the end of the troubles, a feature programme 'Back to Normal' was compiled from actuality material recorded during the riots, and was broadcast on the evening of the 16th.
31. The imposition of the curfew areas had the effect of preventing some staff from getting into the studios, and the heavy burden of long broadcasting hours therefore fell on a small number of staff who worked almost continuously through- out the five days.
32. Relations with Rediffusion were excellent throughout and staff of both broadcasting organizations were in constant touch ensuring the synchronisation of announcements, etc.
Middle East crisis.
33. The outbreak of the Middle East crisis in November was followed by increases in the number of news bulletins relayed from the B.B.C. An additional bulletin was broadcast at 9 p.m. local time from the General Overseas Service, and the London Calling Asia bulletins in English were broadcast at 5.15 p.m.
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