CONFIDENTIAL
From: PS/Lord Glenarthur
Date: 9 February 1989
Cc:
PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Burns, News Dept
Mr Paul, HKD
Mr Muir, Info Dept
Private Secretary
HONG KONG: MEDIA
1.
Lord Glenarthur has considered Mr Burns' minute of 8 February. I understand that there was some discussion of this subject at this morning's meeting of FCO Ministers.
2. Lord Glenarthur shares the Secretary of State's irritation at the latest unhelpful piece on Hong Kong in the Daily Telegraph. It is maddening how persistent the media are in peddling such ill-focused and by now hackneyed criticisms: this is clearly a vogue in quick fix journalism which editors currently find appealing. Lord Glenarthur thinks that, while the vogue lasts, there will be a limit to what we can do to stem such comment. But it is clearly wrong just to acquiesce in it, and he agrees that the time is right to step up our campaign.
3.
Lord Glenarthur supports the steps proposed in Mr Burns' minute. He is happy to play his full part, and is sure that the Secretary of State will also wish to lend his support. Lord Glenarthur looks forward to receiving advice on how best to tackle again the Hong Kong journalists resident in London. He endorses the idea of expert officials briefing targetted journalists, with the aim of breaking down the almost wilful ignorance displayed in many organs on central points of fact. Lord Glenarthur will be happy to take on any interviews or
He also looks articles which result from this process.
This
forward to seeing the proposed new briefing material. will need wide distribution, including to other Whitehall Departments, to help ensure that all visitors to Hong Kong are seen to be pulling in the same direction.
CONFIDENTIAL
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