RADIO FOR BEDOUINS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 85, 4 January 1935, Page 2

RADIO FOR BEDOUINS

New Station For Palestine

The day when lonely wandering Bedouins in Palestine will have radio receiving sets in their camel packs or donkey saddles is brought nearer with the decision of the Government to equip and operate a broadcasting station under the direction of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. A contract for a station to be situated near Jerusalem has been awarded to the Marconi IVireless Telegraph Company. The studios and control room will be in Jerusalem, and will be connected by land lines with the transmitter. A special receiver has also been ordered for receiving and relaying foreign programmes. It is intended that the selection of

programmes, which will be transmitted in the three official languages— English, Hebrew and Arabic—will be in the hands of a programme board. The design of the station has been carried out by the chief engineer of the Department of Posts ajid Telegraphs, which department will be responsible for its operation. The establishment of a Governmentcontrolleil transmitting station was first urged by Mr. C. F. Strickland, of the Colonial Office, who was sent to Palestine to investigate the possibilities of organising co-operative societies among the Arabs. Broadcasting, it is hoped, will prove the best means of access to illiterates who now get their news by word of mouth, It is also expected to supplement the work of t)ie various Government departments in the betterment of education and agricultural methods. It is also expected to be a valuable asset to the Government in settling differences which periodically arise between the Jews and Arabs.