31. The separate 'magazine' style has been virtually dropped in favour of brief, recorded inserts slotted in with the main news stories followed by short, compact interviews to round off twenty-minute newscasts. These are scheduled at 7.10 a.m. on the F.M. Service and 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on the A.M. Service. This format is expected to continue since it gives the opportunity of providing listeners with a balanced programme of both international and local news. However, emphasis is being placed on providing more local news, and with the introduction next year of mobile radio cars to facilitate live radio links with the studios, the coverage of news stories as they happen will be increased.
32. The demand for more international news has been taken into account also. During the year Topics contracted with Reuters News Agency for provision of their audio service, giving Radio Hong Kong a network of correspondents around the world who can be called on for reports and interviews at any time. Full use was also made during the year of the World Service of the BBC (including Radio Newsreel) and features of American and other international services in coverage of the main news events of the year, including the American Presidential Election, the Olympic Games and associated 'Munich Massacre', and the truce in Vietnam.
33. Local news headlines were dominated throughout the year by a succession of tragedies. Topics staff were at the scene to report on the June rainstorm disasters at Kotewall Road and Sau Mau Ping Estate; the hugh fire in the multi-storey Watson's Estate Building, and the ship collision and fire involving a British oil tanker and a French vessel in the harbour. Topics has also given major coverage to the Government's 'Keep Hong Kong Clean' campaign.
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34. Topics staff continued to operate both from Broadcasting House and Radio Hong Kong's Island Studios in Sutherland House. Programmes are produced and presented from either location by permanent land lines which provide a link between studios. The in- stallation of a tape cartridge system has helped speed up the transfer of tapes between studios and has improved the presentation of news programmes. More of these cartridge machines have now been ordered for a wider range of recording purposes.
Public Affairs
35. The Public Affairs Unit's 'Insight' has firmly established itself as an authoritative and well documented programme which covers
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