U.N. STUDY OF MASS MEDIA B. N Z. MAN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28783, 2 January 1959, Page 6

U.N. STUDY OF MASS MEDIA B. N Z. MAN

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, January 1. A New Zealander has been chosen to lead a worldwide investigation into the effects on children and adolescents of films, radio, television and press publications. The project is to be undertaken by the United Nations through U.N.E.S.C.O.

In charge of planning this project will be Mr G. H. Mirams, formerly of Christchurch, who for the last 10 years has been New Zealand film censor. Mr Mirams will leave Wellington by air for Paris to take up his appointment at the end of January. “The investigation will cover all aspects of the effects of these mass media on the young mind,” said Mr Mirams today.

“A great deal has been said about the so-called evils of television, radio, films and press publications (meaning comics and the more lurid types of literature available). We must examine also the undoubted good which can be done, and has been done, through these media.’* He explained that his job, as he understood it, would be the correlation of work which had already been done by piembers of the 81-nation organisation, the planning of new lines of inquiry, and the retaining of specialists to prepare papers on specific subjects. A report analysing the effects on youth of the mass media will be prepared for the organisation, which will then study the question and make its submissions. “Though much has been said about the effects of radio and television; this is the first time an investigation has been conducted on a world-wide scale,’’ said Mr Mirams. “Actually U.N.E.S.C.O. is the only organisation equipped to carry out such a survey, which has the backing of Soviet Russia as well as of the Western powers. Such an inquiry must be non-political and free of evasions.”

He mentioned, as one of the things which could be looked at, the therapeutic effects of radio and TV on children forced to stay in hospital for a long time. The compilation of data was one thing, and interpretation was another. New Zealand would be one of the countries with a definite contribution to make. “One of the most important developments in the film field as applied to youth has been the encouragement of children to see the better class films now being produced for them,” said Mr Mirams. “The Children’s Film Foundation is an example of this. Much of this work in New Zealand has fallen to the film censor. One of the benefits arising from this project will undoubtedly be an intensification of this type of selection.”

Two-year Appointment Mr Mirams explained that his appointment would be for two years, though he thought the project might well take longer than that. He would not be leaving the New Zealand Public Service, but would be seconded. It was obvious that the appointment of New Zealand film censor could not be held over indefinitely, so that in all probability a new censor would be appointed shortly. The project actually started last year under a temporary director and a bibliography has been prepared. U.N.E.S.C.O. headquarters, where the work will be carried out, is an impressive new building in the Place de Frontenoy, Paris, not far from the Eiffel Tower.

Mr Mirams spent 18 months on the staff of U.N.E.S.C.O. in Paris in 1948-49, in the film section.

It was from this position that he returned to New Zealand to become film censor. When he goes

back to Paris next month, Mrs Mirams and two of their four children will accompany him. They are a son aged 15 and a daughter aged 17, who will complete their education In England. Asked which of the four mass media was likely to be his main interest overseas, Mr Mirams said, with a smile, "Television is in a very interesting stage. Its effects on the young mind have yet to be charted and some very controversial things have been said about them. Methods of TV presentation and operation in various countries would make an interesting study.” Mr Mirams, who was born in Christchurch 49 years ago, was educated at Canterbury University College, where he graduated with an M.A. degree and a Diploma in Journalism. He has been a film critic and lecturer. He was later chairman of the educational and publicity committee of C.0.R.5.0., chairman of the New Zealand Film Institute, and official journalist for the Ne Zealand Campaign for Christian Order.