3005236
G.F. 323
ایرانی من است و
CONFIDENTIAL
2
The composition of the special publicity unit
6.
The approval of the Finance Committue was given for the creation of a unit to carry out intensified information tasks in the context of the confrontation with local communists. Staff were provide. by secondment from other sections of the Information Services Department Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, Radio Hong Kong and supernumerary posti. were created in those departments to replace seconded staff. Cortain other secretarial and support staff were provided from the Colonial Secretariat.
7.
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This composition reflects generally reflects the intention of ba unit to exploit, in addition to the normal channels open to the Information Services Department, all others which would serve the new and urgent purpose.
8.
In fact the unit never realised the full establishment Aluwo i for. The Finance Committee paper is unintentionally misleading in attributing 6 Assistant Information Officers to the unit. In fact four of these posts had been proposed earlier so that the I.B.D. Radio Ram could develop a programme of hourly news bulletins and it was decided t implement these proposals along with those for the publicity unit. Lot.. when approval was given for two more Assistant Information Officeru for the unit it was founded impossible to recruit suitable candidates and ti.. posts have never been filled.
9.
The staff was further reduced by the diversion in July of the two senior I.S.D. officers to permanent duty to handle information on the border, and neither has yet returned to his original duty with the unit, One has been temporarily recalled by the Director of Information Survico. for urgent administrative duties, the other went on a course to Britoin in September and has been retained there for a further month to asciut the unit's programme with Hong Kong Chinese residents in U.K.
General pattern of work
10.
With the staff at its dispouni, and as sugi ed by the accompanying diagram, the unit has endoav, ured to meet the changing challenges of confrontation by the communication of information through press, radio and T.V., by the publication and distribution of posters, newspapers, leaflets, and booklets, as well m, by direct communicati‹ n through its S.C.A. liaison staff and its other contacts with Government departments, civil servants generally, the police force, public bodies, schools and societies and clubs' of every kind.
11.
The key to effective information work in the context of the confrontation has, however, been the ability to follow the changes in the political situation and produce the appropriate responses, or bettur stil· anticipate the challenges and forestall opposition propaganda. With thi:: in view emphasis has always been placed upon the assessment of propag nå. objectives. No project has been undertaken, however small and apparently obvicus, without a firm appraisal of its purpose and likely effects and whether these contributed to the general current, ains.
/12.
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