The Wanganui Chronicle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1939. THE RADIO FOR PROPAGANDA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 56, 8 March 1939, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1939. THE RADIO FOR PROPAGANDA

J7OR the purposes of propaganda the radio is a very efficient instrument, and as such it is being used, and abused. In Germany, Italy and New Zealand the Government monopolise the radio for the purpose of putting forward their views and for the equally important purpose of stifling criticism. The policies followed by these Administrations, which arc not concerned with acting in accordance with the mandate given to them by the people—as is evidenced in New Zealand by the unwillingness of the Government to allow the legality of import licensing Io be tested in the Courts—would naturally be subject to criticism were criticism permitted. In New Zealand an effort is being made to intimidate the. Press but the freedom of assembly is still unassailed. How long this will last if the freedom of the Press goes is a matter for speculation, but experience teaches that it. won't, last for long. The denial of access to the radio, however, is important, in I hat if. represents the first breach in the defences of freedom. Others can be expected to follow. The assaulters on the freedom of the individual, however, must be credited with having appreciated the, importance of the radio. Hitler was the first to appreciate this and, to extend its usefulness to his regime, he arranged for cheap and good radio receiving sets to be placed on the market. He also made it an offence, it has been reported, 1o listen-in Io foreign stations; nevertheless foreign slations are listened to. and some of the outside world’s opinion seeps into Germany by means of the English broadcast. Another effort to propagate news is the establishment by the League of Nations of its own radio station, “Radio-Nations,” which has been operating since September. Regular broadcasts have, been given by the League of Nations since 1932. which were sent out on Saturday nights and on Monday mornings to meet the needs of Australia and New Zealand. This move on the part of the League of Nations to infiltrate its viewpoint to the world may be a pointer to those in New Zealand who desire to use the radio. They may be able to purchase radio time in Australia in order to reach radio listeners in New Zealand. It is only when it is realised that the Government’s radio policy is to be countered by such means that the situation, as it exists in New Zeal.in/1 in./lnv r«nn Im fiillv a nni'PPi a f 0(1.