Australian Broadcasting

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 36, 18 March 1932, Page 9

Australian Broadcasting

Commission to Control Programmes FTHR a meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the Prime Minister (Mr. Lyons) announced that there had been a long discussion on the question of broadcasting policy, and that the Cabinet had reached the following decisions: 1. That a commission to control broadcasting programmes be appointed. 2. That control of the technical side of broadcasting be left with the Post-master-General’s Department for the present. 3. That the question of the complete control of broadcasting, both programme and technical, be the subject of a report by the commission at a later date. Mr. Lyons explained that the Post Office now exercised control over broadcasting activities generally, and in addition undertook the actual provision of all technical services. Its activities covered administration, finance, provision .of buildings for studio and station purposes, and engineering. The Australian Broadcasting Co. was responsible to the department for the provision of the programme service, including the arrangements to be made for the use of copyright. The Post Office already had on its permanent staff many highly-trained engineers having a specialised knowledge of all phases of communication services. In their research section, also, they had much valuable apparatus. "Tor these reasons, therefore, the Cabinet has decided to leave control of the technical aspects of broadcasting for the time being with the Postal Department," Mr, Lyons added, "and to allow the new commission to investigate the whole position.’ The commission will assume its duties when the contract with the Australian Broadcasting Company expires in June.