VIII.
RADIO.
SECRE T.
Likely Communist Actions
nd Policies.
(a) The Communist radio will
certainly turn the full blast of its propaganda on to Hulls Kong. A "rudio war" is likely. HOLLE Kong news broadcasts may be criticised in detail, and the charge may be made that by mentioning events in Communist China Hong Kong is inter- fering in Chinese inter- nal affairs. Threats may be used.
(b) The Communist radio may
resort to jamming in order to make Hong Kong broadcasts inaudible. At the same time they may pour out violent anti-British propa- Canda directed against Hong Kong
(c) The Communists are.
likely to have a number of illegal and secret trans- mitters in Hong Kong, some of which
may be used for
direct broadcasts to the people of Hong Kong, and others of which may be used for maintaining contact between Communist organisations inside the Colory with those outside.
Action by Hong Kong.
Hong Kong should not allow itself to be browbeaten or over-awed by throat, and should counter them by making it clear that news broadcasts over Hong- Kong radio are purely factual and truth- ful. In this Hong Kong should follow the wartime practice of the B.B.C. und not go in for sheer propaganda.
Any
It may be desired by H.M.G. tu usi Hong Kong radio as a means of sending information through the iron curtain inco China. (However this is not so likely as before since the strength of Hong- Kong radio is not to be increased). direct propaganda against Communist Chiria as such should not be sent over Hong- Kong radio and anti-Communist material should confine itself to material des- cribing conditions etc. in Soviet Russic or elsewhere in Soviet satellite coun- trics in Europe.
Jamming should preferably be mot by counter jamming. Violent propaganda against Hong Kong especially should be jammed but only as a last resort. It should generally be possible for people in Hong Kong to judge for themselves through the existence of a free press. If counter-jamming is considered necem - ary expert technical advice should be sought from H.M.C.
Such transmitters should be dealt with very firmly and should be confisc ted outright, not merely fined.
If necessary legislation should be amended for this purpose. At present powers do exist to fine and to confiscate, smi they are being used.
:
14
Page 80Page 81