G. F. 323
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In particular,
representatives of considerable influence in Europe. two major television teams have moved out. The main German TV (Channel II) station closed its Hong Kong bureau recently and the Italian TV service (RAI) took similar action last year. Also in recent months the correspondent of the leading Italian daily newspaper "Corrierra Della Serra" moved his base away from Hong Kong. The reasons for this exodus were cited as (i) the ending of the Vietnam War; (ii) the apparent opening up of China reducing the value of Hong Kong as a 'China-watching' base; and(iii) the rising rents in Hong Kong which greatly reduced the previous economic advantages of a Hong Kong based bureau. Karl Weiss, who was the German TV representative in H.K. for a number of years did starling work for the Colony with a steady flow of 'friendly' feature pieces for German TV. When I met him in Europe he reminded me sadly how a year of hard work by him on behalf of Hong Kong could be wasted by one sensational and inaccurate TV programme put together by an ill-informed itinerant team. He agreed that in future his company would only cover Hong Kong in times of hard news (such as riots) because of the move of his base.
29. Every effort should be made to encourage European media to consider re-establishing their South East Asia base hero. Possibly the uncertain China situation may convince them they made too hasty a decision in moving out.
30.
Those correspondents that remain must be given special attention and, in particular, help with background services aligned to their specific regional outlets in Europe.
31. I.S.D. recognise the importance of foreign correspondents and provide excellent general services for the foreign press as a whole, particularly the agencies, but up to the present, there has not been the time, the staff or the money to give special attention to the smaller correspondent (often working in a foreign language) who plays such an important role in shaping our image within the E. E. C.
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32. A similar problem exists in London where there is a very large Economic Community press corps there are sixty four German corres- pondents alone working out of London and a more aggressive policy designed to maintain direct and specialised contact with these groups could be rewarding.
THE EUROPEAN SCENE
General impressions
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33. The six countries I visited in Continental Europe had such varied problems that in making any generalised comments I risk the dangers of over-simplification. Nevertheless, I have returned with a number of broad impressions which I feel should be recorded.
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