BROADCASTING RESTRICTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 6

BROADCASTING RESTRICTIONS.

"Radio X," in your issue of the 9th inst., chuckles over Mr. Holland's position in regard to the broadcasting of his speeches, but in chuckling he gives- vent by inference to .so many mis-statements as to warrant correction. Firstly, it is only fair to say that the present regulations prohibiting the broadcasting of controversial matter and giving the ri<»ht to Government to broadcast statements" have been in existence for over five years; secondly, the old Broadcasting Company obeyed them in just exactly the same way as does the Broadcasting Board; thirdly, the officers who decided for the company what was controversial and what was not, decide the same questions for the board to-day. What, then, is meant by "Radio X" when he states that the Broadcasting Company endeavoured to givs fair play all round? As to the statements that broadcasting has not improved under the present control, this is obviously a matter of opinion, and there will be many who will sharply disagree with "Radio X." How can one judge the success or failure of a broadcasting organisation? I suggest there is only one way to judge, and that is by the increase in the number of licenses issued. I understand that the increase last year was 21 per cent, and I invite "Radio X" to name any country where this figure was exceeded. A further invite I would extend to "Radio X" is that he should study the Broadcasting Act of 1931, and then be will realise. that the present broadcasting service is not controlled by Government. EX-OFFICER.