Dutch Radio Upheaval

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 20, 28 November 1930, Page 4

Dutch Radio Upheaval

ee Listeners Demand Their Rights MONSTER demonstration by radio enthusiasts to demand their rights took place at The Hague on September 6 last. Dutch programmes are run by five associations, and the hours of their respective broadcasts have been determined by the Minister of Public Works. ‘The strongest of these associations is an organisation known as the Radio Association, a group of wireless enthusiasts without religious or political tendencies, their weekly organ, "The Radio Messenger," having 2 circulation of 230,000. Holland is a country of multiple re. ligious sects and innumerable political eroups. The Governor of The Hague

| is strongly influenced by religious Inclinations, and a new statute passed on May 15, which came into operation on July 1 last, introduced a new broadcasting time-table. The three religious associations who transmit programmes under this time-table are favoured to the detriment of the other two, one being the Radio Association. Although this organisation is the most powerful, its hours of broadcasting were cut to within half of the time permitted before the new statute. Listeners would pot have been so perturbed had not the programmes suffered by the change, but in place of the popular concerts and classical music supplied by the Radio Association, an unbroken series of religious lectures and services were put on the air by the favoured three. Dissatisfaction grew, and letters of indignation were received from all over HBurope, one coming even from India. A petition was submitted on September 1 to the Queen containing 460,000 signatures of persons over the age of 18 years. Then a leaflet was circulated, calling upon 50,000 listeners to form a deputation to The Hague. To the immense surprise of the Radio Association this appeal was answered by 140,000 people. Police could not

"ope with the overwhelming horde of xeople and vehicles, bearing flags with i device of concentric circles to represont Waves. The demonstration was a sf{riking ‘llustration of the power of the Radio Association when brought into conflict with the Programme Commission. When the Radio Association. and the Socialist Society, contrary to iastructions, endeavoured to broadcast international and political conferences, the censor intervened in every case, On one occasion taking drastic action to ensure compliance with its demands. Ultimately the two societies amalgamated in their stand for impartiality in broadcasting, and the struggle still continues.