POLITICAL CONTROL OF BROADCASTING

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22137, 8 September 1943, Page 4

POLITICAL CONTROL OF BROADCASTING

Political control of the broadcasting service has almost inevitably led to serious injustices in the election campaign. The Government has conveniently forgotten that it is dealing with a service that belongs to and is financed by license-holders and was not intended as a vehicle for political propaganda. It has taken upon itself the responsibility, or the privilege, of deciding which political parties merit the use of the radio, and with the exclusion of some there is bound to be dissatisfaction. Should any political party have the right to deny a public service to any other party ? The situation might arise wherein a dictatorship could deny facilities to all opposition. That, in fact, is precisely what has happened in some countries in Europe. The voice of freedom can be stifled as far as a politically-controlled broadcasting system is concerned. Fortunately there are other methods of expression. License-holders who pay dearly for the broadcasting service are hampered because they have to contend with one of the strictest monopolies in the country. At their own expense they developed a service over which they have lost control. They are not compelled to pay licenses but if they do not they have no radio service. If they pay their license fees they must listen to what a politically controlled system sees fit to allow them. Broadcasting has its uses but political control has run away with the original objectives of entertainment and instruction. Propaganda also has its place but when party politics enter the service trouble is bound to follow. If the political parties want, a broadcasting system they should pay for it with their own funds and not appropriate a system that belongs to the license-holders.