96834/15/49
6272/49
CONFIDENTIAL
2 Sanctuary Buildings,
Great Smith Street,
London, 3.7.1.
17 September, 1949.
128
Dear Miss Brunsden,
Please refer to the recent despatch from the
United Kingdom Trade Commissioner at Hong Kong about radio developments in the Colony, which you sent tɔ this Department under cover of a copy of your letter of 9th September, addressed to ir. Coates of the Foreign Office.
The general policy of this Department with regard
to commercial broadcasting is:-
(1) that broadcasting services should be operated under
the direct control of Colonial Governments;
(2)
(3)
(4)
that, even though commercial broadcasting may be subject to striet Government control and be operated with restraint and understanding by its sponsors, its operations are necessarily governed by the desire to earn a profit from the community, and it mist largely waste the educational and administrative opportunities which broadcasting offers;
that commercial companies should not be encouraged to undertake broadcasting services, wireless or wired, in the Colonies, unless as a last resort and if it has been clearly established that there is no practicable way of financing such services as public services;
that the acceptance of commercial advertising by Government broadcasting services is not ruled out, on a limited soale and subject to suitable safeguards,
/ if
MIJS T.A.M. BRUNGDEN
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