EMPIRE BROADCASTING SERVICE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 443, 26 May 1937, Page 5

EMPIRE BROADCASTING SERVICE

IMPORTANCE OF VITAL NEWS FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE 8.8. C. Director’s Frank Opinion Press Association Copyright. ■ Received May 26, 1937. LONDON, May 25. Sir John Reith, Director of the 8.8. C., in an address before the Empire Press Union, indicated that he could talk more freely when he left the Broadcasting Corporation. It meant much, he said, that the Empire programmes err abled Big Ben to be heard throughout the Empire. These programmes were specially devised and were not merely overflows from British programmes. They went out seventeen hours daily, but owing to the novel problems of shortwave broadcasting to oversea countries it was impossible to prophesy their indefinite continuance. Sir John said he did not think the Dominions’ broadcasting organisations were jealous. The wireless news bulletins were at first opposed, but now they were accepted everywhere. How long could anybody withhold vital news? The Empire bulletins gave a taste of the news, but nobody within reach of a newspaper would remain content with that. Europe was at present in a troubled state. Every mutilated division of it looked to England for information and courage. We must look to. our politicians for courage, hoping, but not very hopefully, for the best information which interested both the Press and the Broadcasting Corporation. The Press prided itself on its freedom. John Reith said that the New Zealand Government had taken over broadcasting, but it. retained much of its former freedom and independence, whereas in Germany, Italy and Russia broadcasting was the mouthpiece of the State. A controlled Press and controlled broadcasting meant biased, taintea and censored news. Public broadcasting was the ally of honourable journalism I he more the Press cared for the more it could help m perfecting 1 the Empire Broadcasting Service. Sir Arthur Willert "spoke on the noxious form of foreign propaganda broadcasting. Sir Stanley Reed said that Italian propaganda must defeat itself by its very violence and unreason.