MENACE TO RADIO

Grey River Argus, 7 April 1943, Page 2

MENACE TO RADIO

State Control AUSTRALIAN FEELING. (Rec. 9.10.) , SYDNEY. April 6. The “Sydney Herald” commented editorially to-day on the reported prevalent feeling in political circles that broadcasting is proper activity for control by Parliament. It declared: — “Australian people need to be very jealous of attempts to bring broadcasting under direct political control, and of its excessive use as a vehicle of official propaganda. The less political interference therp is with radio management the better. Freedom of the -ress had to be fought for and eternal vigilance is the price of its maintenance. Radio is the newest means of communication. It must also enjoy ordered liberty and independence if, instead of enlarging bounds of free expression, it is not to become the creature of Governments and a plaything of majorities.” Ministerial control of radio Is alleged to have been: used in attempts to obtain political party advantage. The recent establishment of a Parliamentary standing committee on broadcasting is seen as a. further menace to the functions of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in its normal control of all matters of policy Theoretically in Australian broadcasting policy the PostmasterGeneral possesses thei power to compel the broadcasting stations to broadcast, or not broadcast, any matter specified by him. Actually . the Parliamentary’ Standing Committee was set up, partly, as a restraint on Ministerial interference. It 'is bound to report all of its deliberations to Parliament. However, some commentators view the Committee as a menacing reinforcement to Ministerial power. ~