THE BROADCASTING SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23341, 5 November 1937, Page 8

THE BROADCASTING SERVICE

It is a valid argument that no legitimate reason has been given by the Government for the division of the broadcasting service into two distinct departments. Whatever may be said about the wisdom or desirability of the institution of commercial broadcasting under State auspices, there is no merit in a service which deprives the Director of Broadcasting of the control of any feature of the national service. The removal of commercial broadcasting from his control to that of another individual, with a salary equal to his and with a status at least equal to his, is pregnant with the possibilities of conflict and competition between the two branches of the service. Already as a matter of fact there is competition between them, and it was claimed by one member of Parliament on Wednesday night that the commercial stations are beating the other stations at their own game. Presumably the inference is that the commercial stations are providing the more popular programmes. The fact that the broadcasting service is capable of exercising a powerful influence for right or wrong on the minds of youthful listeners places a grave responsibility on the shoulders of those who furnish the programmes. This will be the better appreciated when it is remembered that, according to the Postmaster-general, this Dominion ranks fourth in the world in the number of. listeners' licences proportionately to population. The immediate effect, however, of the establishment by the Government of a commercial service has been that the standard of broadcasting in the country has been lowered. Cheapness, with its usual accompaniment, has been the mark of some of the items provided by this service. And it has actually been contended that this is what the public wants. If certain of the stories and items are risque, one Government supporter said on Wednesday night, the explanation is that we are not regulated by Victorian standards. There are some respects in which a departure from Victorian standards is less than desirable,.and any such departure as involves the danger of the corruption of youthful minds is to be regarded with serious apprehension. That danger is clearly presented under a system which tolerates the broadcast transmission of items of an objectionable character. That the Director of Broadcasting would, if his authority were not undermined, sanction the inclusion of risque items in national programmes is not thinkable. And this raises another question, which is that of the qualifications and suitability of the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting for his office. The Speaker of the House threw a protecting arm round this individual on Wednesday night, but what was permitted to be said should be sufficient to satisfy the public that there is a great deal about the appointment regarding which it should be enlightened. It is perfectly clear that the appointment was made in recognition of political services. Applications were not invited for the position. The appointee was pitchforked into it. The first intimation of his appointment was made by himself. Apparently also he has , claimed and been granted the right to appoint to and dismiss from the commercial service at his own pleasure. There are, moreover, important questions relative to advertising contracts about which an investigation seems to be necessary. It is not surprising, in all the circumstances, if the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting demanded that he should receive a status not inferior to that of the Director of Broadcasting, and that he should be independent of that official. But the Government convicts itself of weakness in acceding to the demand, and an admission of the weakness of its case is involved also in its recourse to the gag in order to force the Bill through the House.