BROADCASTING IN NEW ZEALAND

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 22, 6 November 1944, Page 24

BROADCASTING IN NEW ZEALAND

Some Opinions from Servicemen in the C.M.F. A report supplied by Cue, magazine of the New Zealand Education and Rehabilitation Service with 2 N.Z.E.F.

A recent unit discussion in the Central Mediterranean Forces on radio broadcasting in New Zealand resulted, after a somewhat uneven start, in some interesting and clear-cut findings. A week before the general talk the group had been primed with interesting miniature lectures by three experts—a technical authority, an educationist, and an advertising man. The combination of these authoritative addresses gave a fairly clear picture of the business of broadcasting as a whole and provided a solid background for the subsequent open discussion. The question whether radio should be an intellectual exercise or merely a relaxation gave rise to some argument. A strong party held that broadcasting should primarily provide entertainment, but a militant body of educationists felt that valuable work in their field was being done by radio. A remark “ Education is never amusing ” threatened to side-track the discussion. One school-teacher speaker, in reply to a suggestion that teachers should be sufficiently trained to conduct their own education programme, said that a radio in a school was useful when the teacher became tired. More serious discussion from other soldier-teachers produced evidence that educational broadcasting played an im-

portant part in extending the scope of lessons, because the talks were usually given by experts in their own field. It was pointed out that no school-teacher could hope to be an expert on everything. The opinion was that the novelty angle appealed to the child and radio lessons were popular. This aspect—“ objective ’’broadcasting was left for the time being and the international viewpoint was considered. Nobody could define exactly the controlling body for frequency allocation before the war, but it was considered imperative that an international body should operate after the war and that New Zealand should have some allocation of short-wave frequencies capable of broadcasting to a coverage extending over the Dominion’s sphere of influence in the Pacific. An international research organization was also thought to be advisable, and it was considered that New Zealand should subscribe to it. The fact that radio research work was at the moment going forward in New Zealand was not overlooked, but the best results would be ensured by pooled discoveries. Television and frequency modulation were mentioned as probable future developments in radio. Amateur radio operators have contributed greatly on the development side

of radio : it was considered that they can and do produce valuable data by their own enthusiastic efforts, and should be encouraged. It

was, however, suggested that strict <-t» jSg ■control should be maintained because of the potential nuisance amateur sets may provide to * » ' broadcast listeners. The question of national security, too, was raised and a case quoted of a youthful amateur who, in all innocence, obligingly gave the Germans before the war all manner of information — complete with photographs— they no doubt turned to good account. While it was agreed that New Zealand should not presume to dictate her propaganda and policy to the world in general, she should at least have a twenty - four - hour short - wave service covering the Pacific.

The leader of the discussion put this question : “As an aid to education, does the radio have any value ? ” A general chorus of “ No ” first greeted the query, but upon examination by the various occupational groups represented it was found that, for instance, the farmers’ broadcasts had a definite value and were in demand by the farming community. Gardening, health, and home science talks, too, played an important part in teaching the casual listener something he or she did not know beforeand that, after all, is an aid to adult education. Commercial broadcasting came under some intense fire, and the concensus of opinion was that the actual advertising script was “ tripe ” but the accompanying entertainment was often good. The opinion seemed to be that the bad thing about radio advertising was that the gullibility of women was exploited, and detriment to the male pocket resulted. In spite of this, it was generally agreed that more people listen to commercial broadcasts than to othersprobably because of the more, popular type of entertainment provided. A suggestion was made that any surplus revenue from radio advertising should be diverted to reduce listeners’ license fees and to encourage New

Zealand talent. The payments in vogue in New Zealand, it was considered, restricted N.B.S. and C.B.S. programmes to the mediocre ; and the best local talent was not attracted.

Considerable argument arose over a proposal that Government control of radio should be abolished. Instead, it was contended, there should be set up a Radio Commission somewhat on the lines of the 8.8. C. State control of radio, it was held, tended to make it the tool of political parties.

Summing up the discussion briefly, the following points were agreed : — (1) New Zealand should be a party to international control and development of radio. (2) Radio programmes should be balanced, catering for both entertainment and education. (3) School broadcasts are of proven value, and their scope should be extended. (4) Adult Education : Broadcasts to definite groups fulfil their purpose and at the moment are sufficient in scope. (5) New Zealand talent should- be encouraged to a greater extent. A reasonably good standard should be aimed at, and higher fees to artists and writers would probably achieve not only this object but also help to strengthen cultural groups in the Dominion. (6) There should be a non-political, non-commercial control of radio, although many felt that this would hardly be practicable now in New Zealand. (7) New Zealand should conduct a short-wave transmission broadcast to the Pacific area. (8) Radio advertising must continue because of financial reasons, although it was considered that it was not always in good taste.