RADIO AND THE FAMILY

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 4, 1 May 1948, Page 9

RADIO AND THE FAMILY

In a survey made some years ago, u was lound that children listened to the radio lor li hours tor every one hour spent in reading. Ha\t* you e\er studied the children while they were listening to one ot the exciting thrillers.'' Notice the* tense, strained attention and complete absorption in the programme. Esther Marie Madsen, National Director for the Department ot Radio in U.b.A, writes ot this work there. Because millions of people wrote to the radio «‘ations in protest over the programmes coming into their homes, and because of the report made by the federal Communications Commission, there lias been a stock-taking in radio. The National Association of Broadcasters has sot up a Broadcastei s Advisory Council,” which will study the tastes ot the radio audience, and make an etlort to improve the relations between the industry and listeners. It was felt that there were altogether too many crime serials and thrillers; and teachers and parents throughout the country could trace undesirable and unhealthy trends directly to such programmes. The Bar Association came out with a very strong statement and met with representatives of the radio, nioxiesand press to discuss the effect of such stories on juveniles. Their statement in part is; “The administration of criminal justice is frequently distorted by radio. There are a large number of radio programmes devoted exclusively to criminal trials ami the exploits of criminals. Indeed, some of these programmes are perfect handbooks for school* of crime. 1 hey are interesting, alluring and allegedly realistic. Outstanding persons in the criminal enforcement field are recruited -to partake in these programmes either in person or by proxy. The announced raison d’etre of these programmes that a career of crime is unprofitable, does not in any real sense mitigate the evil created. “The effect of these sensational |>ortrayals of crime (in the movies) and on the radio is extremely bad. We believe that it leads many into a career of crime.” Dr Arthur S. Jcrsild, Professor of Education at Columbia University, and consulting psychologist in connection with children’s radio programmes for Columbia Broadcasting System, says: “The power ot radio in the lives of children presents both a challenge and an obligation. Children make a huge investment of time in radio programmes. They do tiiis during years that arc important in the development of their minds and emotions. I lirough radio they extend the horizons of their every-da*' world. They come mainly to he entertained, not to he educated. But the experiences they have by way ji radio co ltribute to the shaping of their idea!, and attitudes, their interests, ta .es. moral concepts and

habits of thought. The fact is challenging. It also puts upon each broadcaster a share of the responsibility for the sum total of what radio offers.” These quotations indicate the serious attitude some people have towards the radio. Barents should be equally serious and should* not rest content with anything less than the best for tlie children. Broadcasters and their sjxmsors will listen to the opinions of numbers of listeners. It is not enough either to be negative. We wan. programmes that not merely “do no harm,” but help to create taste for the best in entertainment. It will be a great day when the Christian community realizes the power in radio, and decides to act upon that realization.

—Australian “W.R.”