FREEDOM OF THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 10

FREEDOM OF THE AIR

STUDY IN U.S.A.

AUSTRALIAN'S IMPRESSIONS

COMPARISON WITH BRITAIN United Press Association—By Elcctrlc Telegraph—Copyright. (Received June 30, 2.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 29. " 'The British once led us in matters of freedom of speech and of the Press and in expression generally,' Mr. David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corporation of America, said to me, 'but they are now apparently leaving it to America to develop freedom of the air and themselves introducing a system of voluntary censorship which does not appeal to the American sense of democratic fair play, even in times of crisis." '

Thus Mr. Herbert Brookes, vicechairman .of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, summed up one of the most important impressions left on him following a study of American broadcasting practices, and policies. He is leaving for England tomorrow to continue his inquiries in Britain. Mr. Brookes stressed, in an interview with the Associated Press, that Mr. Sarnoff's viewpoint was also main- j tained by other important broadcasting executives with whom he had conferred, notably Mr. W. S. Paley, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System. "Indeed," he said, "both large and small broadcasting authorities are unanimous in protecting the American j system of freedom of the air." METHODS OF FREEDOM. Mr. Brookes pointed out that his investigations showed the following methods whereby this could be achieved:—Firstly, scripts not to be subjected to censorship save in the matter of libellous and indecent matter; secondly, broadcasting authorities to invite air debates on controversial subjects, even such .as Communism; thirdly, broadcasting authorities not to accept payment for time on the air in certain instances of a political nature but to give both sides time free. Mr. Brookes indicated that American broadcasting authorities were following with the keenest interest the system of so-called voluntary censorship practised in Britain, particularly where Governnient sources suggest to 'flisseminators of information that they should refrain from making known certain facts, ostensibly in the greater interest of the State. American broadcasting heads felt there was danger that the system would degenerate into involuntary censorship. CONCEPTS SUMMED UP. In conclusion Mr. Brookes said he was unable better to sum up American concepts than as they were expressed by Mr. L. R. Lohr, president of the National Broadcasting Company: "Freedom of the air we conceive to be freedom and equal opportunity for discussion of controversial public issues." Mr. Sarnoff had said, "I believe that a free radio and a free democracy are inseparable, that we cannot have controlled radio and retain our democracy, and that when free radio goes with free speech, free Press, freedom of worship, and freedom of'education will also go." ,f