BRITAIN PLANS OWN RADIO STATION

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

BRITAIN PLANS OWN RADIO STATION

The British Government is considering setting up its own radio station for broadcasting news in foreign languages, according to the “Sunday Chronicle.” “Foreign language” broadcasts by the 8.8. C. are degenerating into a boring recital of trivialities, say critics. Pressed by the Government to offset Nazi radio propaganda, the 8.8. C. have asked to be excused on the ground that they should not be expected to accept the responsibility of broadcasting Government propaganda. They also point out that they can mantain an adequate “foreign language” service only by robbing the ordinary "home” programme. Inquiries have now been made by the Government as to the money and time required to equip the Daventry station so that official propaganda in the form of “objective news” can be regularly broadcast. The suggestion is that it should come within the control of the Propaganda Committee, of which Sir Robert Vansittart is chairman. In the first place, this station would concentrate on offsetting the Nazi broadcasts to Palestine. Germany recently broadcast this statement: “In the Land of Promise the English are in despair. Months of continual fighting has brought economic life to a standstill in Palestine, where brutal attacks by the British continue. . . .” Against this radio offensive the 20kilowatt station at Jerusalem is totally ineffectual, despite the excellent work of Mrs. Belkine, the English woman announcer. “The Voice of Jerusalem.”

All German radio dealers have received instructions not to sell sets capable of receiving broadcasts from outside the country. Italy, meanwhile, is strengthening her radio position, and Poland is joining in the radio “war.”