RADIO ANNOUNCING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 6

RADIO ANNOUNCING

Sir, —The Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Jones, in your Saturday’s issue provides a weak alibi for the shortcomings of his administrative staff. Nevertheless, it is pleasing to note that the uninspiring, mournful voices that one sometimes hears from 4YA are officially recognised as such. As a lover of classical music, much of my radio entertainment comes from 3YA, 4YA, and 4YO—and, incidentally, " Coda's ” guide to programmes of -merit has been very helpful. I am, therefore, familiar with most of the announcers’ voices heard from these three stations, and can speak with some knowledge on this subject from a listener’s point of view. Like most people who take an intelligent interest in broadcasting, I consider that the announcer is an integral part of the programme, and his voice should have a dignity and quality consistent with the type of programme on the air, but it is the latter characteristic that is sadly lacking in some of the local announcing. To say that the shortage of competent announcers has been due to the war is a typical example of departmental apathy and evasiveness. Let us examine a few facts that are apparent to any constant listener. We will start with 3YA Christchurch. After the National and Commercial Broadcasting Services amalgamated, two first-class announcers who were previously heard from 3ZB, broadcast regularly from 3YA, which leads me to believe that ZB and YA announcers are interchangeable. The two announcers concerned obviously adapted h somewhat different style in keeping with the tone of the station, which is very pleasing to listen to in every way. The voices are distinct, cnunciaiton is good and they seem to have all the attributes of thoroughly experienced specialists in their line of work. If 3YA did not have to resort to the employment' of hack announcers, then why could not 4YA do likewise. Anticipating a reply that "we did, but ,” it would be interesting to know why a 4ZB announcer, who was heard for a fairly lengthy period on 4YA and 4YO some months ago, is now back at 4ZB doing commercial announcing. We learn from the Minister that the regular staff announcers of 4YA are still in the armed forces, hence the deterioration of the standard. If this is true, why dees 4YA not employ tile most suitable outsiders to do the announcing temporarily at an hourly rate of pay? Surely all the good microphone voices of Dunedin were not overseas in the armed forces. I am sure that had the vacances been advertised on a contract basis and qualified members of the public given an opportunity to fill the gap pending the return of the staff announcers, there would have been no deterioration in the announcing standard—in fact, the present part-time men would have run a very bad last. If the Minister of Broadcasting cannot be more convincing in his next election campaign than he was in Saturday s Daily Times, I shudder to think of the votes he will hand on a silver platter to the National candidate. Perhaps my analysis will give him some for thought and encourage him to get down to tin-tacks on these matters. No doubt the war has kept hirti out of touch with the administration of broadcasting. O! war what sins are committed in thy name. —I am, etc., Mike. Dunedin, June 10.

[We are informed that it is hoped that full-time announcers may soon be appointed.—Ed. O.D.T.]