“QUEER IDEAS”

Evening Star, Issue 23379, 23 September 1939, Page 4

“QUEER IDEAS”

“It is not necessary to go far afield to realise that talks organisers have queer ideas of what interests the average listener. The Australian Broadcasting Commission has decided to inaugurate a series of talks which cover slum clearance, defence versus social service, refugee problem, and similar subjects. It is expected that as a result of these talks -groups of persons will assemble in homes, under a chairman, to discuss these talks and the subjects embodied in them. No better evidence could be provided to indicate how little the average radio controller understands of the habits of the average listener.”—-Tim-aru ‘ Herald.’ Having decided that one-way traffic in broadcasting does not give the best results, the Australian Broadcasting Commission recently announced that it was about to encourage the creation of “ Listening Groups.” The aim is to give listeners the means to express their views about what they hear’over the air. In this way there is to be established a return traffic to the A.8.C., and, what is regarded as even more important, intelligent listening and discussion will be encouraged. “ It is hoped that the plan will assist listeners to discover their own minds about the views they hear on the air,” said Mr Gabriel Parry, organiser of the listening groups. Where assistance was needed in the formation of listening groups it would be forthcoming, but in most instances the groups were expected to form themselves. It was urged, however, that every group should be as representative as possible so that there would be available that variety of view without which there can bo no real discussion. “ Four or six people are enough to form a listening group,” said Mr Parry. “ I advise nine or more, if possible, but I am convinced that membership should be limited to 20 or 20. The aim is to give everyone a chance to say something.”-