HOW TO RUN RADIO

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 39, 13 April 1928, Page 15

HOW TO RUN RADIO

AUCKLAND LEAGUE’S PROPOSAL. G. McB. Salt, secretary to the AuckJand Listeners’ League, writes In your issue of March 80 you stated your willingness to publish a scheme of cooperation between the Radio Broadcasting Company and listeners as drawn up by the executive of the Auckland

Listeners’ League. My executive has instructed me to forward to you the enclosed scheme, which enrbodies their ideas of real and effective co-operation. The suggested method of co-operation deals mainly with the arranging of the matter to be broadcast. Regarding the Broadcasting Company’s suggestions for ‘listening posts," etc., my executive docs not consider it necessary to express an opinion as it is entirely a matter for the company. PROUOSED SCHEME FOR CO-OPER-ATION IN BROADCASTING. 1. It is recognised as essential to tlie welfare of broadcasting that some definite system sfiould exist whereby those in control of the service, and those enjoying the benefits for which they pay annual fees, should act together in every possible way, so that our radio service may he consistently advanced. To reach this goal a concrete plan, definite in detail, workable, and acceptable to all parties is necessary. The following proposals are submitted to this end :-~ 2. There shall be created a national radio hoard, the duties of which are hereafter outlined, and a district radio commimittee associated with each station, in an advisory capacity. The constitution and powers of these bodies should be:3. National radio board (constitution). -fwo representatives of the Radio Broadcasting Co., two representatives of licensed listeners, one from each island, and the Postmaster-General or his deputy, who shall preside at all meetings. 4, The listeners’ representatives on the national board shaJl be appointed, one by the senior magistrate of each. island, for a period of two years. Such

representatives must be radio licensees, nominated by at least 25 licensed listeners, such nominations to be published in the daily Press. In making the appointment the magistrate shall take into consideration the ability of the nominees to conserve the interests of the listeners. ‘The listeners’ representatives shall not be-(a) employees of the State, (b} employees of any person or firm directly interested financially in the Radio Broadcasting Co., or serving that company im any capacity, (c) A member of the execuitve of any radio leagne or society. 5. The scope of the national board shall embrace-(a) Coufidential access to the financial operations of the com-_ pany. (b) Consideration of fyil details. of the general policy and the progranrme policy of the company. (c) The advising of the district committees regarding the programme policy. {(d) Adjudication on matters brought before it by district committees, and recommendation of actiom on suggestions Placed before it by the Broadcasting Company, the P. and ‘TY. Department, radio leagues, ihe radio trade, and individual _ listeners. (e) Advising generally in all matters appertaining to the advancement of broadcasting, and particularly with regard to the isssue of further transmitting licenses. (f) The submission, after each meeting, of its recommendations to the company, who shall be required to act thereon, provided always that the company shall have the right of appeal to the Minister should it consider any recommendation inoperable. (g) "The issuing to the Press of such report of its deliberations as the board may consider to be in the interests of the public, (h) The fixing of the board’s meetings at intervals not exceeding three months, and (at its first meeting)

| | sorte | to make, from the list of nominations, the arrangement for paying the expenses of its members. 6. District Advisory Committees.-At each station controlled by the company there shall be set up a district advisory committee, consisting of the local station director or another representative of the company, a duly appointed representative of licensed listeners, and the district radio inspector or his deputy, who shall preside. ‘his committee shall have power to co-opt for any special purpose the services of any individual whose advice may be of benefit to their deliberations. 7. The listeners’ representative shall be nominated by at Jeast twenty licensees of the postal district served by the station, the district telegraph engineer an appointment for a period of twelve months. ‘Ihe appointee must be resident within convenient distance to at- | tend weekly meetings, and his appointment must conform with the conditions eumerated for the appointment of listeners’ representatives on the National Board. 8. Duties of District Radio Commit-tees.-(a) To receive from the company confidential particulars of the money available for programmes at the sta-_ tions. (b}) To recommend to the company the expenditure of this money on the most suitable programmes, and to submit such programmes for the company’s approval or otherwise. — (c) To endeavour to arrange, and_ to allot times for, specialised broadcasting, such as religious, sporting, concert programmes, orchestral or other relays and fo make recommendations to fhe company for the efficient conduct of these. (da) To exploit fnily the field of talent available for each station. to investigate the possibilities of broadcasting suit-

Par able novelties, to approach visitors capable of providing interesting items, and to make recommendations to the company in connection therewith. {e) To recommend any features that will popularise radio, particularly in country districts. (f) To act as a connecting link between listeners, dealers, and all bodies interested in broadcasting, on the one hand, and the company on the other. (g) Generaily to render all such assistance and advice as will tend to improve the programmes of the station concerned.