Spyglass on Broadcasting

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 5

Spyglass on Broadcasting

8.8. C. Management Tested and Approved

TELEVISION AND EMPIRE COVERAGE URGED

(British Official Wireless) Eoceived Tuesday, 7 p.m. • RUGBY, Mar. 16.

The committee set up last year by the Fostmaster-General to consider the constitution, control and linanco of the broadcasting service in Britain, has issued its report. Tho committeo recommends tho maintenance of tho general structure of the broadcasting system as it now stands, endorses the chief features of its administration in tho past, and expresses high appreciation of it management by the British Broadcasting Corporation. It recommends that the Royal charter be extended to a term of 10 yoars. The committee also recommends that the Postmastor-Gcneral continue to deal with tho licensing system and technical matters arising from the Wireless Telegraphy Acts but Ministerial responsibility in respect of the broad questions of general policy and culture, should in future bo allocated separately to a Cabinet Minister in the Commons free from heavy departmental duties. The committeo considers that, subject to the right of the Government to tho ultimate control of tho broad issues of policy, tho corporation should, as in tho past, bo allowed as much freedom as possible In its domestic affairs and in tho details of management. Tho chief financial recommendations are that the broadcast receiving license fee should remain at 10/- and that, of the net revenuo from these licenses after deducting Post Office costs, the larger share, namely 75 per cent, be allotted to the corporation and that the balance of 25 per cent be regarded as potentially available for broadcasting so far as it may be required.

The committee recommends that the service of broadcasting to the Empire should be developed and extended and that the appropriate use of languages other than English in this service, should be encouraged. It recommends further, that tho corporation be formally- authorised to undertake television broadcasting and that financial requirements for this purpose be re-examined in the autumn of this year in the light of the experience of the television service shortly to be introduced in London.

In regard to broadcast programmes, the committee thinks it important that controversial topics should continue to be discussed and in regard to political broadcasting, suggests that tho time allowed for political broadcast speeches at election time, be apportioned by agreement between the Government, official Opposition and other parties.

With reference to school broadcasting, tho committee looks forward to the time when every school will have wireless receiving apparatus and suggests a set might be specially designed for school use.

The committee recommends the continuance of the exclusion of direct advertisement from the British Broadcasting Corporation programmes. The corporation should have power, as in the past, to accept sponsored programmes at their discretion and in the early stages of television broadcasting, it might be necessary to resort to sponsored programmes but (lie committee hopes tho increase in its use be limited to the initial stages. The main structure) of tho recommendations is unanimous though there are reservations appended to the report expressing certain difficulties. Better Service for Dominions LONDON, Mar. 16. Questioned by tho Australian Associated Press concerning tho committee’s references to Empire transmissions Sir Stephen Tallents said the Broadcasting Corporation entirely agreed that there should be a development of Empire transmisions. The corporation was considering schemes by which tho broadcasting hours to the Dominions would be extended, and was also paying attention to developing the engineering side, enabling clearer receptions. Tho committee’s recommendation was lhat the corporation should receive a larger proportion of tho license revenue, w-hich would be most helpful in the development and improvement of Empire transmissions. Corporation officials said there was reason to expect, an improvement in reception in tho future Short-wave transmision was approaching the good "eleven year cycle,’’ and no doubt by the time of tho next bad cycle experts would have overeomo all the difficulties from which Australia and 'New Zealand, particularly, suffered. Improvement in tho programmes was at present receiving the closest attention. Afraid of Sponsored Programmes Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 16. The committee on broadcasting recommended that attention should be directed to Parliament as the natural centre of political interest. Parliamentary news should be retained in the news bulletins and the corporation should regularly consult Parliamentary parties on major poitical issues. Major Astor subscribed a reservation not agreeing to sponsored items as necessary or desirable. The costs of a public service, for instance, television, should be met from the public funds. There was a real danger that advertisement may intrude into the whole range of the Corporation’s programmes.