Thames Star TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 1934. BROADCASTING AND CONTROVERSY.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19121, 5 June 1934, Page 2

Thames Star

TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 1934. BROADCASTING AND CONTROVERSY.

"With malice towards none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God flivee us to see the right."— -Lincoln.

Less than a month ago the Post-master-General announced firmly that he was opposed to the broadcasting of controversial matter on the ground that it would “depreciate the value of the service and lead to prolific complaints.” As there have been scores of protests, by the Press and by public meetings, against the ban on controversy, and as no one of any consequence outside the Government has defended the ban, Mr. Hamilton has at last realised, what has all along been obvious, that there is no general support for the present policy of the Broadcasting Board. Moreover, he himself has apparently been converted to a more reasonable point of view, for he told a deputation in Auckland last week that he approved the British Broadcasting Corporation’s policy of allowing controversy provided it was not offensive. ITe macle no apology for his sudden change of front; and no apology will be needed if he cari’ies out his promise to confer with the Broadcasting Board with a view to revising its regulations in this matter. It is worth remembering, however, that the problem of deciding what should or should not be put on the air cannot be solved by regulations, however skilfully they may be worded. It will be solved only by enlightened administration, which means that station directors and programme organisers will be required to exercise tact and common sense and to show a wide rango of interests and sympathies. The Broadcasting Board should consider carefully whether the personnel of its staff measures up to these requirements.