Evening star., 1939-10-04
Sale Of Radio Time
For Controversial
Issues Banned
CouehIin, Rutherford
Mentioned in PorIey
Of Broudcosters
By the Associated Press.

Radio time will not be sold to
"spokesmen of controversial public
issues" except under rigid limita-
tions, under new rule adopted by
the Code Committee of the Ma
tional Association of Broadcasters.
The Rev. Charles E. Coughlin was
said by the associations secretary
E. NJ Kirby, to have been mentioned
yesterday in discussion preceding
adoption of the rule, which will ap-
ply to all stations in the organiza-
ton.
Mr. Kirby said others mentioned
were Judge Joseph F. Rutherford of
New York, president of the Watch
Tower Bible and Tract Society, and
the Rev. Walton E. Cole of Toledo,
Ohio, Unitarian minister who has
purchased radio time to reply to
Father Coughlin's speeches. Judge
Rutherford frequently has assailed
The Catholic church, Mr.. Kirby said.
Controversial public issues, the
committee said, may be discussed on
the radio during free time available
for such broadcasts or on public
forum type programs under con-
troll of the station or network.
Manuscripts of speeches must be
submitted in advance.
Coughlin Is Mentioned.
Discussing the fight over the arms
embargo, retention of which Father
Coughlin has advocated, the COM
mittee said:
while all Americans desire to
stay out of war and preserve neu-
trality, the methods of achieving and
maintaining the same are matters
automatically falling within the
sphere of public controversial is
sues and, as such, should be pre-
sented on free time and not sold"
Association officials said they be-
lieved Father Coughlin may have
radio contracts extending for two
weeks into the future. The con-
tracts can be fulfilled, they said
after which the ban will take effect
In explaining its rule, the COM
mittee said:
LID oOCo AlOJ AllCcll, OA SOul DC,
that those who wish to discuss mat
ters of public controversy are bar
red from the air. Far from it.
Through the new code, representa-
tive spokesmen of groups will be
given free time to present their
views, in accord with the public
interest, program balance and avail
ability of time"
The code will permit sale of time
to political speakers during a cam
paign.
Officials said the associations 437
members represented 80 per cent of
commercial radio. The committee
action is final unless member sta
ton appeals to the associations
Board Of Directors, and the board
upholds the appeal.
Bill Makes Statement.
A statement issued by Chairman
Edgar Bill of the Code Compliance
Committee, said:
while the committee realizes that
the American people, through the
delegation of the radio franchise,
have placed upon the broadcaster
final responsibility to accept or re-
ject program matter in the public
= interest, convenience and necessity,
1t nevertheless recognizes that the
N. A. B. member stations In the
17th annual convention, July last,
shared their program and oper-
ating experiences in the adoption OF
q new code so that more uniform
and higher level of public service
might result throughout the length
and breadth of commercial radio.
I'm the absence of any self
imposed policy to the contrary, it is
conceivable that some individuals or
groups with financial means to do
so could buy all the available time
necessary to monopolize, dominate
or control the discussion of public
issues through the radio medium,
precluding a fair opportunity for an
opposition without financial re-
sources to present its case to the
radio audience.
Would Shatter Confidence.
"Such situation would pervert
the function of American radio as
a forum of democracy and would ir-
reparably shatter the confidence OF
the public in the American system
Of broadcasting.
I'm order to assure the Amer
lean people for all time that such
an intolerable misuse of radio ia
cilities cannot happen, the code
states that time for the presenta-
ton of controversial issues shall not
be sold.
"The code does not bar any one
or any group from using radio. It
simply denies the right to buy time
for the reasons stated"
In explaining it's reasons for re-
quiring an advance script, the COM
mittee said it would be impossible,
without one. to determine the COM
plexion of any proposed broadcast.
The committee also called atten-
tion to the religious section of the
code, which says:
Radio. which reaches men of all
creeds and races simultaneously,
may not be used to convey attacks
upon another's race or religion.
Rather it should be the purpose of
the religious broadcast to promote
the spiritual harmony and under
standing of mankind and to ad-
minister broadly to the varied re-
hgious needs of the community"
Rucino Results