The Washington times., 1935-01-16
A Timely Protest

n llmely IfOCeSC
(Reprinted From The Nashville Banner of December
II, 1880
Elisha Hanson general for the American Newspaper
Publishers Association has revealed situation affecting
dissemination and radio that surprising, and which, be-
its implications and easy opportunity for abuses
should receive much more than passing notice.
Comparatively few Americans are aware as Mr. Hanson
dscoses that agency subsidized by the French gov
recently appeared in the United States and has
managed to establish contact with an American group for the
purpose of broadcastng foreign news reports with propa
ganda by easy inference in the immediate background.
Every press association and every radio system Europe
controlled and operated by the where it is located
is notorious that these publicity agencies are compelled to
maintain an subservence to government to the
dictator command the party powr to become in
effect political appendages to disseminate propaganda
under the colorng of news.
Powerful stations have been established by each government
they preach their daily propaganda not only to the domes
populations but broadcast in various languages SO as to
create favorable sentiment in foreign lands
This procedure has become recognized feature of European
politics and national diplomacy The rva countries unit across
tense than at time since the World War; are
engaged strenuous race to increase the power ana range
of their stations constantly widening their avenues OF nsldlous
approach to public opinion among foreign peoples
The United States being thousands of miles distant
another spreading their propaganda becomes neces
sary France made the first by placing in this
country news agency subsidized directly controlled by
the government and this agency has quietly proceeded
make with radio group to broadcast foreign
news reports United States agency subsidized by
one foreign permitted to utilize American radio
facilities then Hitler saln Musson any other dictator
potentae may be expected to avail himself Of the same op
porunty to public opinion and create sentiment in this
country when conflict with American interests The
process of approach is manifesty insdious
French scheme is contrary to the plain INTENT not
the actual letter. act of Congress- The Federal commun
cations act expressly provides that American broadcast tac
ties owned and operated by citizens of the United
States There manifest force in Mr. Hansons contention
be done directly by foreign power should
not be permitted indirectly.
The United the only nation with free press In
nearly every European country it is either politically dom
mated by government subsidized The United States is
unique fortunate that has four great press assocla
ons independent Of government vast news collecting
and fact finding organizations that daily mirror the events OF
world that line word that they send out to the
1900 daily newspapers they be paid for by any
individual group desiring get his or their news or views
before public It is the pride it is the purpose Of these
great agencies and the press their
and freedom.
Desiring to be of service and keep fully abreast Of the
times using every available and expedien agency for news
dissemination the associations and the newspapers
Press Radio Bureau whereby daily and nightly
factua uncolored broadcast to the public And the
American radio like the American agencies and press
is privately owned
Mr. Hanson has performed distinct public service in the
disclosure that has made of the than questionable
innovation witnessed in this country of foreign nation by
ndrecon but the less surely securing to Amer
can radio facilities and in protesting against the allowance OF
such an ndefensble and, apparently, illegal precedent