BROADCASTING AND DEMOCRACY
Sir,-In one of his recent talks Sir James Shelley spoke of broadcasting as a democratic instrument. He even likened it to meetings of citizens in Athens. Surely he overlooked the fact that the Greek people met its speakers face to face and could express its approval and dissent, In many countries experience has clearly shown that broadcasting may easily be the instrument of: totalitarianism. Broadcasting is not democratic in its nature and can be made so only if all shades of opinion may be heard on the air. Before we reach this goal in New Zealand -we have a long way to go. We have not forgotten the suppression of the series How Things Began. For hours each week opportunities are given to the different religious bodies to express their views on the air, But no time is allowed to those who wish to challenge the "truths" or dogmas so frequently heard. Apparently if Bishop Barnes came to New Zealand he would not be allowed to broadcast his views on these questions. This week in the seties Why Education? listeners heard Dr. Gascoigne in a tirade against the secular solution in education, Will anyone be invited to expound the secular system established by law in New Zealand at the present time? I think not. Until all shades of opinion may be heard on the air the totalitarian charecter of our broadcasting svstem will
remain,
T. A.
HUNTER
(Wellington).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 523, 1 July 1949, Page 5
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241BROADCASTING AND DEMOCRACY New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 523, 1 July 1949, Page 5
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