The Human Side of Radio Broadcasting

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 51, 4 July 1930, Page 1

The Human Side of Radio Broadcasting

a Rapio is the modern magic want.. It has: changed the: processes’ of thought, smashed down geograhpical parriers to communication, thrust the world into a whirlwind of new conjecture, until one is inspired to ponder -‘ What next ?" But apart from its mysterious character and some of its still half-hidden effects (for even yet the veil between the known and unknown in radio is but half drawn) it has brought untold ‘benefit to humanity. Lady Sidey, wife of Sir Thomas Sidey, says of radio: It is a splendid thing, particularly for boys. The average boy is interested in construction, and since the inception of wireless many a boy has been encouraged to build his own set, both for receiving and transmitting. This hobby work develops their creative instinct, helps to cultivate a.desire for study, and in many cases points the way to a definite course of life, viz., electrical engineering or radio telephony.

. A DEEPER significance is given to this when these boys establish definite communication with boys of other countries, so widening not only their knowledge of the world beyond the confines of their own land, but also sponsoring the feeling of friendliness with peoples of other nations. Surely this is creating an agency for bringing about the peace of the world. Radio has meant a great deal to old people. In particular, those who cannot go to church or seek theatre diversion during the week. I have talked with many of these old people, who toi me of the pleasure they received from reception of Sunday evening services and week-day broadcasts. Many of these old folk would dearly like to go to entertainments, but as they cannot, radio enables them to sit by their firesides and thoroughly enjoy themselves. ’ I often wonder how many hundreds, nay, thousands of suf‘ferers in hospital’ have experienced the beneficial spell of radio as they lie in bed, many of them unable to read. From seven or eight o’clock at night, until those early hours in the morning, maybe, is very, very trying if one is nof able to read books. Radio has helped them through the weary hours, and by diverting their attention eased their pain or helped them to forget it. , . But how it has changed the lives of those in the country districts! Years ago, many people in the country were cut, off for at least a week from the outside, relying upon the weekly ‘batch of mail and newspapers. Now, their news services and entertainment outlets are as good as those in the city, almost, through radio. vos

P ROGRAMMES over the air have a distinctly educative value, and I firmly believe that in a few years various scholasti¢ courses will be transmitted over the air. Eurythmics and musical’ appreciation for children, lectures on the various philosophies for university students, . Lady Luke was in complete agreement with the viewpoint of Lady Sidey, and during the course of a talk with the "Radio Record" made a number of interesting observations: About six years ago I was in England. One afternoon T went through the Upper Thames Valley district and was astonished at the hundreds of wireless aerials to. be seen there. It occurred to me then what a wonderful thing radio was; how it had given the working people there an insight into a larger world, one quite outside their own little suburbia. > I felt that had it not been for radio, those pecple might have been submerged-hidden from the world outside. I learned that they were very interested in speeches by prominent men and women politicians, and was not surprised, for some of the wireless talks given by Miss Wilkinson and Mr. Thomas, for example, were very good indeed. My interest went so far as to prompt me to ask a number of questions to find the reasons for this popularity of radio among working people. When I was told that crystal sets could be purchased for a few shillings I was impressed with the significance of it all, not only because of its cheapness but because of its significance in widening the outlook of those whose viewpoint would otherwise suffer considerable restriction. One feature of broadcasting which appeals to me is that every Sunday evening one may listen to services from places of worship differing in creed. To me that means’not only a greater breadth of vision, but a consoling influence as well, since it brings to one the thoughts and ideas of others striving towards a common conclusion. In other words, it quickens human understanding. Children’s services are admirable.» Quite apart ‘from the entertainment side it has the beneficial influence of children in one town hearing of and listening to children of other towns: of their birthdays and their little misfortunes, so creating an interest in the lives and fortunes of other children, A really

commendable service. I really believe that radio. is one of the most vital inventions evolved since the late war. It has given thousands of people an interest in life, particularly those who .are infirm -a somewhat difficult thing tc accomplish with bedriddei: people. In the "Mowai" Red Cross Hospital, Wellington, was a poor fellow suffering greatly from the effects of war. His head and body were held rigidly to repair some injury to his spine. It was almost impossible for him to read, and difficult to interest him. But a receiving set and loudspeaker were installed, and he was then able to talk freely with visitors concerning events of the day.