NO BROADCAST

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 27, 20 January 1928, Page 5

NO BROADCAST

OF WELLINGTON RACES

PERMISSION REFUSED

Listeners in general will, we think,learn with regret that permission for the Broadcasting Company to Lroadcast the fortlicoming: meeting of the Wellington ‘Racing Club on January 21, 23 and 25 has been refused , The Broadcasting Company’s position in this matter is that it stands ready to render the service of broadcasting the events, but does not desire tg intrude into the business of the racing clubs concerned, The public has in the past been given this service and nothing but praise exists for the manner in which it has been given In fact, the present refusal is understood to be related to the complaint that the service given is so good that it is possible for the desire to back certain horses in subsequent races to be created Whether this is so or not is in our opinion beside the point, which is that it rests with the public to express its desires in the matter to the authority concerned, Every facility is always given the press for recording events and in our opinion it is a little regrettable that a barrier should be erected against the broadcasting of news sumultaneously with its occurrence. There is 110 question in our inind but that the publicity given by broadcasiing to sport’s events acts as.a popularising agent and this is recognised by the willingness of the Lawn Tennis Association to have the play of the Irench stars broadcast and of the Auckland motor cyclists who have requested the company to broadcast its events. ‘ As stated, it is not our place or that of the Broadcasting Company to intrude into the racing cluh’s business.? The patrons of racing have the matter in their own hands. If a sufficient public demand is made we have every confidence that the authorities will recognise. the desires of ‘‘sports’? and accord the fecessary permission if not tor this, then for later meetings.