"THE LISTENER."

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 22, 11 December 1931, Page 4

"THE LISTENER."

WE think we shall be rendering a definite service to listeners who : are interested in maintaining contact with the best thought of ‘the day by outlining briefly in this article the splendid service now being given in various fields by "The Listener." This is one of the weekly publications of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is now in its sixth year of publication. It was called into being. ptimarily with the object of making available in printed form the wealth of valuable talks and discussions contributed to the listening public from the stations of the’ British Broadcasting Corporation. Through ability to call upon the leaders of thought in every field, the British stations have been able to place before the public in Britain an amazing range of information and informed discussion. of current affairs. In "The Listener" the greater part of this mine of valuable matter is recorded. The outcome has been to establish a magazine which for vitality of interest, breadth of subject, and variety of expression, if not rivalled in the journalistic field to-day. Through ‘the intimate association with radio, everyday affairs are kept definitely in the forefront, and people who desire to keep abreast of current affairs, both in the political, the economic, the scientific and the literary spheres, can ill-afford to miss contact with "The Listener." "THE recent political upheaval in Britain necessitated the use of radio, in order to rapidly convey to electors the issues confronting ‘the country. Thus speeches by the outstanding leaders of the various ‘parties may be regarded as epics in their field; each and all are recorded in verbatim form in "The Listener." Not only that, but the departire of Britain from the gold standard was made the occasion for an extraordinarily authoritative and informative review of the gold standard by so great an authority as Sir Josiah Stamp. The concentration of thought upon the problems now confronting civilisation and afflicting the welfare of the world is reflected in a series of articles initiated by Mr, H. G. Wells with the title of "What Would You Do With the World?’ This is designedly provocative of thought on the assumption

that he and other selected speakers who were to follow him were given’ _4 the powers of a dictator over the major activities of the world for a period of 20 years. The thought of the powerful and original minds associated with Mr. Wells in this symposium opens many avenues for the reflection: of thinking people. Other regular contributors of note are. Dean Inge, Mr. Desmond MacCarthy, who speaks and writes consistently upon literary topics, and Mr. Gerald Heard, who discourses regularly upon "This Surprising World," revealing a comprehensiveness of knowledge and familiarity with scientific realms that are astonishing and informative. The topics chosen, however, are not unduly heavy. Due attention is given to the lighter realm. Edgar Wallace, for instance, discourses upon "The Adventures of a *Journalist," and again upon "Criminals I Have Known." "Memories of a. Medical Life" are given by another speaker, Dr. J. Ford Anderson -but the range of topics is too vast to be even mentioned. PLAINLY the objective in the conduct of "The Listener" is ‘to _ make it an authoritative and informative medium for the production of thought among listeners. Books occupy an important pari4 its pages. From time to time special Book Supplements are included, Here the most capable reviewers in their fields cover the latest. publications. The net result of the concentration of: talent available to the B.B.C. in all the fields briefly mentioned is that "The Listener" . to-day constitutes a magazine deserving of a circulation far wider than Britain herself. Overseas listeners who are interested in the trend of political and economic, as well as scientific and literary thought, are ‘able to secure in this publication the cream of the talks given through the various stations of the B.B.C. We make no apology for paying this tribute to "The Listener" and directing the attention of our readers to its worth. The annual subscription, it may be mentioned for those who are interested, is but 19/6 per annum, and correspondence should be addressed to the Publishers, 8-11 Southampton Street, Strand, London, W.C.2.