RADIO FREEDOM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21064, 8 April 1943, Page 4

RADIO FREEDOM

DANGER FORESEEN political control MOVE IN' AUSTRALIA ({kpeo/al Australian Corrospiliidailt;) (9 a.m'.)' LONDON, April 7 “Australian people need to be very jealous of attempts, to bring casting under direct political control and of its excessive use as a vehicle of official-propaganda.” , ; This warning' was voiced in an editorial yesterday by the Sydney Morning Herald,, cormneftting on; the reported prevalent feeling in political circles that broadcasting is a proper activity for control by Parliament. Ministerial, control of’ radio i$ alleged to, have been used in attempt? to obtain a political party advantage 'and' the recent,' establishment of 4 Parliamentary standing; committee or} broadcasting" is seen as a further menace- to the functions of the Aus-j tralian, Broadpastihg.'Commission in it? nominal control of all' matters of policy. Theoretically, in Australian broadcasting, , the Postmaster : Gehera} possesses the ppw’er;' to compel broadcasting' stations to broadcast or not broadcast any letter specified by him, ■ A Parliamentary, , standing committee was,. set;,.up! partly ,as .4 reLstiiaisit. on Ministerial/. It- is report all deliberations to Par'liaiTW'ftb,-.:; i. ... -G HoWeyei;,-?pme commentators , view the, eoinipitt.ee as- a % menacing reinforcement to IylinistpijlW' pAlV.fii’- . ■ “The less pQlitical.ifttprffifehCe, there is with radio mapageifift l ? l -. thq betf ter,” declares the Sydney Morning Herald. “The frqe.dqm ,oi the pres 4 had to be fought for and eternal.vigi-; lance is the price, of it? maintenance} Radio, the newest means, of communi-; cation, must? also enjoy ordered, liberty and independence if. instead of enlarging the bounds of free expression. it, is not-to become the creatuiq of Governments and the plaything of majorities:”' ....