NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 49, 29 June 1928, Page 4

NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO.

GOME few weeks ago we drew attention to the tribute paid by United States newspapers to radio as a factor in the remarkable developsent of their own circulations over the last seven years. Their point of view, after a detailed analysis, was that radio was an educational factor and stimulated an all-round desire for greater knowledge. This greater knowledge could most easily be met through the columns of the daily press, which had accordingly be called upon to expand and enlarge the already fine service it was giving the community. ‘The more far-sighted Jeaders of the United States have long been noted for their breadth of view in relation to sharing knowledge with what might be regarded as competitive interests. The British view im the past has been one of close secrecy ; the modern American view is to share even technical secrets, the . reasoning being that for every item given by one individual, scores of _. points are gained from. other members of the same trade or profession. "So in the newspaper world there is now no jealousy against radio-no refusal to give news for broadcasting purposes. Some newspapers, in fact, maintain broadcasting stations of their own as a service to their readers, while others take every opportunity of securing credit on the air for important items of news. A notable instance of this nature occurred in connection with the trans-Atlantic flight of the Bremen. The first authentic news of the actual arrival of the aircraft on the American | Continent was received by the New York Herald-Tribune at a few minutes after 8 o’clock one evening. The suggestion was immediately made by a member of the staff that the news be broadcast. The idea was adopted, and the suggestion rewarded with a gift of 25 dollars. The result of the broadcasting of the news by the paper was that next day they sold 27,000 extra copies through having their name associated with _the first announcement over the air. Some New Zealand newspapers have not as yet reached this stage of co-operation with radio, and in at least one instance recently refused ‘ to inform its readers that the trans-Atlantic flight was to be broadcast. ‘A more tolerant spirit may develop later as the complementary nature of _ the public news service becomes appreciated. — , NOW. comes the news that American newspaper interests are preparing to take a definite part in the development of short wave telephony fs a means of more rapid international commumication. Before the . Federal Radio Commission on May 14, Press interests fought keenly for the allocation .to themselves of 33 frequencies for trans-oceanic radio communication in opposition to the Radio Corporation, which desired ‘ to secure the channels for public communications. The argument of the ’ Press was that they, as servants of the public, wished to establish their -Gwn news avenues, rather than pay tribute to another channel for the service sought. Press traffic, they submitted, amounted in volume to one-third of the total word traffic of the Continent, and as such was entitled to special consideration. This recognition of the utility value of radio in connection with press work is of moment.