TNAG-2766-FCO40-3983-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1993 — Page 124

CODE 18-77

Reference

Ref:

Miss Saunders

BBC WORLD SERVICE TRIENNIUM

1. I have some sympathy with Mr Hum's views that the document is weak on argumentation. I myself wonder whether there is really a need for a Cantonese service in the years 1994 to 1997. The BBC not unnaturally sees its main competitor as the VOA. But in reality in Guangdong I suspect that by far the vast majority of people seek their information from the Hong Kong electronic media particularly the Canto-pop radio stations and the Cantonese language news which already draws heavily on US and British sources. in these circumstances would it not be much more cost effective to put the effort into ensuring that Hong Kong commercial stations use the World Service TV output.

RAB But

RAJ Bunten

Hong Kong Dept

WH 305 270-2655

7 January 1993