Should Debates be Broadcast?

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 40, 17 April 1931, Page 12

Should Debates be Broadcast?

W hat D oes °C eaieooeesal- ~ Mean?

---~j HE two words "controversial" and "propaganda" Jed to an imposing deputation waiting upon the Postmaster-General last week, seeking either definition or an amelioration of the regulations which operate, they claim, to unduly limit the subjects which may be dealt With in broadcast debates. In introducing the deputation, Mr. BE. J. Howard, M.P. for Christchurch South, said that the bodies represented included the Canterbury Broadcasting Debates. Committee, the. Canterbury College Dialectic Society, the Victoria College Debating Society, No More War Movement, W.C.T.U., League of Nations. Union, Y.M.C.A., Pacific Relations Group, the National Peace. Coun-

cil, .ud W.E.A. Their complaint was . that too strict a definition was placed on. the word "propaganda." -~ . Mr. @. K. Cook, representing th Canterbury Broadcasting Debates Committee and the Canterbury College Dialectic: Society, said that there were 1000 students at Canterbury College and 900 at Victoria College, and all were keenly interested in the subjects to be broadcasted. Whenever they had approached the Broadcasting Company they had had difficulty of the interpretation of "propaganda of a controversial nature." His society had endeayoured to arrange debates with the W.E.A, on educational and vital topics in economics and politics,.anfl had been excluded from broadcasting them. In these debates both sides of the subject would be placed before the audiences and no harm could be done. If the word "controversial" was interpreted as it was at present it would exclude practically all educational subjects. In Great Britain debates were a regular feature of the broadcasting services.It was hoped that, if the debates were contrary to the present regulations, the regulations would be amended. Mrs. E. Maslem, secretary of the Wellington Centre of the W.E.A., said that the debates would be most informative to the general public. She gave an outline of the work that was being done in England. Mr. H. F. von Haast, representing the Pacific Relations Group, said he had heard a broadcast debate in England between Sir Ernest-Benn and Mr. J. Maxton on Socialism, and it had been most informative. The Word "Controversial." } JR. H. R. BANNISTER, representing the Victoria College Debating Society, said that under the present interpretation. of the regulations it was practically impossible to choose a subject that was of publie interest. It was possible to so stretch the meaning of the word "controversial" so as to include practically every topic. He took it that the regulations really aimed at preventing any society or person putting over the air propaganda which would be subversive of the "peace and order of the Government of the Dominion," but in a debate both sides would be strongly put. Victoria Collegé had endeavoured to arrange a debate with Auckland, but'the arrangements fell through because the subject had been vetoed. Mr. Donald: "What was the subject?" Mr. Bannister: "The Hire-purchasing System." . A subject like "Is Democracy a Failure?" would be highly controversial, but it would be discussed from all angles. His society would be very reluctant to offend the susceptibilities of listeners. Regulations Under Review. N reply, the Minister said that the contentions made by the deputation were to a certain extent news to him.

He could understand the position of the Broadéasting Company, which was a private company, and which wouid iry and keep within the regulations, It was possible that it might shelter behind the Government, which was a 200d stick to lean upon. He could not give them an answer immediately, but would consult with his officers and give them a reply within the next few days. He would like himself to hear gome of the ‘subjects mentioned this morning discussed. HIE new broadcasting regulations are under review." continued Mr. Donald, "and we hope to have them out, not before the end of this session, but probably by the time next session comes round. You are all aware that it has been suggested that we are to have alterations in broadcasting next year. A good deal of money has been

required for earthquake relief, and the department may have to moderate the scheme, but there will be an alteration’ in the broadcasting services from the beginning of next. year. We certainly want to make the service as pleasant as possible for listeners, and at the same time educational, so that if the majority of the subjects mentioned can \ go over the air, it will be a good thing ; for the general public, The whole mat- ~ ter will receive the consideration it deserves." What Britain Does With Controversial Matter. FOLLOWING is the official summary of the B.B.C.’s present. powers and practice in regard to controversy :- "Beginning in 1923, the B.B.C. made repeated attempts to secure authority to introduce controversial subjects. But the rule against controversy was maintained both under the company and for the first year of the corporation, During the regime of the company, the Post Office exercised an over-riding censorship of subject and material. Arising out of the recommendations .of the Crawford Committee on broadcasting, the Government, in licensing the vorporation at the end of 1926, decided to transfer censorship functions from the Post Office to the corporation for an experimental period. But the prohibition of political, industrial, and religious controversy was to be maintained. Apparently the intention of the Government was to test the discretion of the new authority. Six months was the duration of the experimental perjod originally contemplated. This, however, was extended to fourteen months. Meanwhile the B.B.C. lost no opportunity of emphasising the view that controversial matter should be admitted. ,Some debates were organised, but the limitations necessarily imposed irritated both the speakers and the listening public. The situation became acute when a series of "debates and counter-debates," organised in co, operation with King Hdwatkd’s Hospita Fund for London, had to be abandoned before completion. There followed a period of violent Press attacks, most of which were directed unfairly against the B.B.C. These attacks subsided when it became generally realised that the B.B.C. did not agree with the policy of restriction which it was reluctantly applying. It should be noted, however, that the violence of the Press discussion was not discovered to reflect any widespread or deep interest in the subject. On the contrary, the general body of listeners was apathetic. Restrictions Removed. TATE in February, 1928, the Government reconsidered the position and . decided to remove the restrictions. On March 5 the Prime Minister gave the following reply to a question from Cuptain Ian Fraser, M.P.:"The Government have reviewed the decision taken.at the time of the’.onstitution of the British Broadcasting

2YA listeners will welcome the oportunity of again hearing Mr. Rex Harrison (baritone), well known throughout New Zealand and Australia as a performer on the concert platform and before the microphone. When in Sydney he was one of the most popular of broadcasting artists, and in an open competition he won first prize. His voice is a pure baritone, his enunciation is perfect, . and he has thoroughly mastered microphone technique. Mr. Harrison has a_ large repertoire. His recital on Friday evening will include two songs from Amy WoodfordeFinden’s "Indian Love Lyrics’""The Temple Bells" and "Less. Than the Dust." He will also sing "Invictus and "Nelson's Gone A’Sailing,"" to both of which there will be an orchestral accompaniment. cy

ion has been prohibited from broad-asting-(a) Expressions of opinion by the corporation on matters of public policy, and (b) statements involving matters of political, religious, or industrial controversy. The Government have decided that the first of these prohibitions, i.e., that on the issue of ‘editorial’ pronouncements, must be maintained; but. that the second shall be withdrawn forthwith. The corporation has been informed that the Government expect it to use the discretionary power thus experimentally entrusted to it strictly in accordance with the ‘spirit et the Crawford Committee’s Report, and that it is its responsibility to see that this is done." On the same day the PostmasterGeneral sent to the B.B.C. a formal communication elaborating the Prime Mijnister’s statement and making the foklowing comment :- "The prohibition has now been in operation for fourteen months, and the Postmaster-General desires mé to convey to the Governors his appreciation of the loyal and punctilious manner in which they have conformed to the obligations thereby imposed." The effect of the Prime Minister’s announcement was to give the B.B.C. freedom to develop controversial subjects in an experimental way in accordance with’the spirit of the Report of the Crawford Committee. It is pertinent, therefore, to refer to this report, of which the relevant passage reads :- "We are unable to lay down a precise line of policy or to assess the degree to which argument can be safely transmitted. In the absence of \ authoritative evidence, such advice would be premature. But, speaking nerally, we believe that if the materjal be of high quality, not too lengthy or insistent, and distributed with scrupulous fairness, licensees will desire a moderate amount of controversy. But the discretion of the new authority must be upheld. Provided the Commission is strong and impartial, it will gradually assess the nature and extent of the demand; in this and in other problems to be solved the Commissioners will do well at the outset to act with firm and consistent circumspection. "The broadcasting of Parliamentary speeches, although parallel, raised a different group of issues, on which we do not feel authorised to offer an opinion." . The B.B.C. Policy. AS attitude of "firm and consistent circumspection" was entirely in aecord with the policy of the Corporation in taking advantage of the Government’s concession, It was decided to begin by the gradual and experimental introduction of political and econounder which the corpora-

mie controversy on clearly defined occasions with adequate safeguards for impartiality and equality of treatment. It will be observed that there was no change in the policy of the Corporation on matters of religion. Controversial matter was to be limit,ed to the fields of politics and economies. .Moreover, subjects were to be "dealt with in such a way that the main opposing views could be presented on occasions clearly contrasted yet linked as closely as possible. The obvious, and perhaps the most attractive, form of presenting controversy is by way of debates. It was natural, therefore, that broadcast debates should be ° ee pe ey ee ny ey ee a Teer OY

resumed now that the irritating restrictions had been removed. Care had to be exercised first of all in the selection and wording of subjects, so that there might be some inherent equality in the contending opinions, It: was also of importance that the debaters should be well matched. "Discussions" provided an effective alternative form for the presentation of controversial views. A "discussion" in this sense is a kind of symposium. The various challenging and opposing points of view on a controversial subject are expounded in prepared statements in sequence, but emanating if necessary from widely separated parts of the country. The Corporation is fully alive to the considerable possibilities of the development of controversy in programmes. It is felt that this new phase of the work should produce cumulative results, not only by informing public opinion on politics and economics, but also by establishing a new and intimate contact between political leaders and voters, It should not be presumed, however, that this development involves any revolutionary or transcending change in programmes generally. Controversy is not to dominate the talks. For the most part they

will continue as before, endeavouring to interpret the vast field of interest and knowledge which is happily beyond the frontiers of acute cur rent partisanship.