THE PRESS AND BROADCASTING.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 18, 18 November 1927, Page 4

THE PRESS AND BROADCASTING.

After being established nearly a century and a half, the Press has attained a very high degree of development. Its growth has been a matter of steady evolution, and the adding of one service after another as it has discovered the needs of the public, and has developed thr means of meeting those-needs. Speaking broadly, the initiative and enterprise shown has been very commendable, but there. have been long periods of inertia and poor service, from which the Press has been lifted only by two things-the genius of outstanding leaders both in Britain and America, and the use made of improved mechanical methods and scientific invention. Back of the splendid service now given the public by the Press lies a long period of patient evolution and the shaping and adaptation of machinery and men to the requirements of the public. _ Now comes broadcasting. Just as the modern Press has thriven by its means of multiplying the printed word recording news and views, so broadcasting leaps into popularity by its magic means of multiplying sound waves and diffusing them instantaneously to the ends of the earth, Inevitably the Press sees in this newcomer to the field of news diffusion a rival which naturally enough tends to colour the treatment given broadcasting. There are bound to be psychological reactions throughout the community because of broadcasting, and its influence as more and ‘more use is made of it here and elsewhere for placing the multitude in direct touch with the utterances of leaders on historic occasions. This shortens the contact, and to that extent reduces the possibility of misinterpretation or the colouring of views. The influence wielded by .powerful Press interests at various times is well known. ‘This is very much to the credit of the British Press throughout the world that its influence has been outstandingly for good. The point we are making, however, is that with the development of broadcasting, the Press for the first time sees what some may regard as a possible rival in some phases of its field. Over a period of time, the two interests will be found to be mutually complementary, each serving the public effectively.. In large measure the rapidity of the growth of broadcasting is due to the-publicity given by the Press, and that is all to its credit. The tendency in some quarters, therefore, to be unduly critical of broadcasting developments, or ungenerous in comments on such evolutionary events as the short wave transmission from Albert Hall, must be accepted by listeners as natural in the circumstances. And if comparisons are to be made, it may be remembered that after more than a century’s development, the perfect newspaper has not yet been developed, or one which will satisfy in all phases the critical tastes of readers. A plebiscite of readers on that point would be informative and amusing. In any such comparison the general progress of broadcasting, and the speed and efficiency with which it has been adapted to modern civilisation, stands out as a remark- ‘ able achievement for the few short years it has been operative. With the short wave era opening a new field for listeners is developing--and a ‘ new Stimulus for cable and news services which will unquestionably add ‘to the value of the service given the public.