UNFLATTERING COMMENTS

Shannon News, 13 January 1928, Page 4

UNFLATTERING COMMENTS

"ksMBICAN ANNOUNCERS CRITICISED. Announcers at some, if apt .many, os" the American broadcasting stations seem to,be the targets at'=which the newspapers launch a "shower. -;of un 1 flattering comments. One New York fcaper declares: 'The announcers intrude into all the programmes their own uninteresting personalities, their banalities, and their gratuitous information." ::Th<?r e arc really few announcers.in America who have obviously suffleienr acquaintance with cultural subjects to make them admissablo in sofne of the gatherings, which, unseen, liiey .address. From a broadcasting (studio.all an* nouncements ar t > elaborated, explained and qualified. Facetious comments redolent of the'smoking room, sometimes punctuate otherwise innocuous programmes. Intimate personalities oi the jazz band personnel, -their families and friends are brought'into the programmes, as if of any importance. Every moment is rilled with chatter. Thirty words are used where half a dozen would suffice. Both before and after delivery items are named and a,rtists are flattered "ad naxiseum," irrespective tit professional standing. Ail .songs are famous, and all unknowns) &re : either celebrated or wonderful. . These artists condescend to perform for a breathless palpitating audience. Broadcasting companies should know 'that the announcers' personal opinions on current etvents, and literary classics, and the like are both intrusive and offensive. . .Mis* pronunciation of the most common* place English-words, poor'delivery, and bad enunciation , are charged against the announcer. Foreign titles are attempted the result is an insult to adult intelligence Newspapers are procured and news items read., It ia all very well to read these' items,, butcthe announcers elaborate them, ; tiheir personal opinions. Perhaps ia- problem and its solution are -expounded-,and then as an after thought one 'hears the casual remark: "pf course that is my own personal opinion; it Is not contained in the report.* To the sick, the dwellers in iremdte places, the aged, and the imprisoned radio is a great b/oon! Therefore, why should these people, who depend almost entirely upon radio for their entertainment, have the announcer's uncouth remarks thrust upon them? In mapy respectg the American, pro* have been bettered, but there js always: th e uncalled for su« perfludus-talk of the .announcers.