A Raid on Radio

Cue (NZERS), Issue 9, 15 October 1944, Page 18

A Raid on Radio

Cue Report

HOPE that a radio commission similarly constituted to the British Broadcasting Corporation and devoid of State control and possible political influence was expressed at a recent 2- NZEF unit discussion in Italy. It was one of several clear-cut findings, which also embraced opinions on radio advertising and education sessions.

Miniature lectures by a technical expert, an educationist, and an, advertising agent , before the discussion gave a picture of the radio business and provided a solid background for debate. A strong party held that broadcasting should, primarily, provide entertainment, but a militant body of educationists felt that valuable work in their field was being done by radio. A remark «Education is never amusing » threatened to sidetrack the discussion. One school-teacher speaker, in reply to a suggestion that teachers should be sufficiently trained to conduct their own educational programme, said a radio in a school was useful when the teacher became tired. The same speaker, however, vigorously denied that this was a frequent event. More serious discussion from other soldier-teachers produced evidence that educational broadcasting played an important part in extending the scope of lessons as the talks were usually given by experts in their own field. It was pointed out that no school teacher could hope to be an expert on everything. That novelty appealed to the child, and radio lessons were popular, was their collective opinion. The aspect of «objective» broadcasting was left for the time

being and the international viewpoint was considered. Nobody could define exactly the controlling body for frequency allocation before the war. It was thought that such a body functioned under the auspices of the League of iNations. In any case it was considered imperative that an international body ♦ should operate again after ; the war and that JNZ should have some allocation of short-wave frequencies, ‘ capable of covering the Dominion’s sphere of. influence in the Pacific.

An international research organisation was also thought to be advisable and that ,NZ should subscribe to such a movement. The fact that radio research work was at the moment going forward in ,NZ was not overlooked, but the best results would be ensured by pooled discoveries. Television and frequency modulation were mentioned as probable future developments in radio. . ' < ' < Amateur radio operators have contributed greatly to the development of radio. It was considered that they could and did produce valuable data by their own enthusiastic efforts, and should be encouraged. It was suggested, however, that strict control should be maintained in view of the potential nuisance amateur sets might be to broadcast listeners. The question of national security, too, was raised and a case quoted of a youthful amateur who, in all innocence, obligingly gave the Germans before the war all manner of information —complete with photographs—which they no doubt turned to good account. While it was agreed that ,New Zealand should not presume to dictate her propaganda and policy to the world in general, she should at least have a 24-hr shortwave service covering the Pacific.

The leader of the discussion put .•a question « As an aid to education, does the radio have any value ? » A general chorus of ■«Nol» first greeted the query, ’but upon examination by the various occupational groups represented, it was ’ found that, for instance, the farmers’ broadcasts had a definite value and were in demand by the farming community. Gardening, health and home science talks, too, played an important part in teaching the casual listener something he or she did not know before — and that after all is an aid to adult education. Commercial broadcasting came -under some pretty intense fire .and the general concensus of opinion thought that the actual advertising script was « tripe, » but the accompanying entertainment was often good. The usual argument about advertising raising the prices of commodities was developed but the solitary advertising serviceman . present refuted the contention in a few well-chosen words. The evil of radio advertising seemed to be z summed up in the opinion that the gullibility of women was exploited to the detriment of the male pocket. x In spite of the disfavour with which radio advertising seemed to b e e regarded it was generally agreed that more people listen to commercial broadcasts than otherwiseprobably because of the more popular type of entertainment provided. The American trend in commercial broadcasts was deplored, however, and opinions on this matter were definite. \ . A suggestion was put forward that the handsome surplus revenue from radio advertising should be diverted to reduce listeners’ licence fees, and to encourage New Zealand talent. ,Niggardly payments in vogue in New Zealand,. it was considered, restricted NBS and CBS programmes to the mediocre, and the best local talent was not attracted. Considerable argument arose over a proposal that the Government control of radio should be abolished. Instead, there should

be set up a Radio Commission somewhat on the lines of the BBC State control of radio, it was held, tended to. make it the tool of political parties. ' / . Summing up the discussion, the following points were agreed:— ’ r . 1. New Zealand should .be -a party to international control and development of radio. 2. Radio programmes should be balanced, catering for both entertainment and education. / 3. School broadcasts are of proven value and their scope should be extended. ' 4. Adult education; broadcasts to definite groups fulfil their purpose and at the moment are sufficient in scope. . 5. New Zealand talent should be encouraged to a greater extent. A reasonably good standard shoqld be aimed at and higher fees to artistes' and writers would probably not only achieve this object but also help to strengthen cultural groups in the Dominion. 6. There should be a nonpolitical, non-commercial control of radio, although many felt that this 'would hardly be practicable now in New Zealand. 7. ,New Zealand should conduct a short-wave transmission broadcast >to the Pacific area.* <' ' 8. Radio advertising must continue because of financial reasons, although its present lack of good taste was deplored. -1 -z