RADIO PLEBISCITE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 368, 9 March 1932, Page 8

RADIO PLEBISCITE.

Listeners to Vote on Programmes. BOARDS NEW MOVE. For some time past the Radio Broadcasting Board has had under consideration the suggestion that a plebiscite should be taken to ascertain listeners’ views on certain aspects of broadcasting. It has now’ decided to take such a plebiscite during the coming period for the renewal of licenses. From March 15 to April 30 each listener, on receiving his or her license at any post office in the Dominion, will be supplied with a printed sheet on which is set out in question form the information desired by* the board. This form, on being completed by the listener, is to be posted back to the board (postage being borne by the board on delivery' of the document). The replies will be tabulated and summarised by modern machines suitable for the purpose. It is proposed to distribute at least 50,000 papers. The ground covered in the questions is most comprehensive, and when properly analysed and summarised, the replies will provide a definite basis of valuable information upon which the board can formulate its programme policy in the future. The plebiscite is one of the first that has ever been made by any' authority' controlling broadcasting to ascertain the desires of its listeners. In Britain, the British Broadcasting Corporation, owing undoubtedly to the immensity of its audience, has made no effort to conduct a plebiscite, although several newspapers have interested themselves in the matter.

Christchurch listeners regard the holding of the plebiscite as conclusive evidence that the board is out to give listeners what they' want.