XN000022-1972-08-30 — Page 25

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Wednesday, August 30, 1972

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING

The role of Government's broadcasting services in the years ahead

is "manifold and vital” – to reflect the best of the institutions of Hong

Kong's two cultures and to propagate traditional standards of free speech

and comment.

This was said today by the Acting Director of Broadcasting, Mr. Tim

Birch, in a luncheon talk to the Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical

Industry at the Hong Kong Club.

In his talk, he discussed the position of Government's broadcasting

services within the context of the swiftly changing community of Hong Kong.

Mr. Birch said that broadcasting was in a constant and sensitive

relation with the conditions of society and "we cannot ignore these

changes which are affecting our community to please those who cry 'don't

rock the boat!", +

He started off his address by quoting a remark made by the former

Governor, Sir David Trench, when he opened the Broadcasting House in 1969.

Sir David then said: "We want to inform people about what Government and

public institutions are doing and why; and also to reflect back responsible

opinion on matters of public concern."

T

He was also quoted as saying: "It is, I think, important that the

public should realise that the Government broadcasting service is not one

which is imposed on the taxpayer without taking into account his attitude

towards the service for which he is paying."

Mr. Birch