Evening star., 1941-06-16


the Senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce a resolution to investi-
gate the whole status of radio. 1t is
O. resolution that ought to pass If
only for the reason that representa-
tives of the various segments of
American democracy might have q
chance to express their views and
prevent the introduction of quasi
Fascist system whereby communi-
cations are controlled in the selfish
interest of those who wish to main
tain themselves in power.
Already the testimony before the
committee indicates that certain
United States Senators think the
present radio law either provides,
or should be amended to provide, an
opportunity for Government adul-
teration of programs so as to suit
the political whims of members of
Congress. This is a misconception
of the function which radio, as
private institution, exercises. Be
cause there are certain programs
which it is a public service for sta
tions to broadcast, the Senators are
saying that the whole broadcaSting
operation should be under Govern
ment or even political control.
Press Parallel Seen.
What is overlooked is that radio
derives all of its revenue not from
taxing the public, which gets pro-
grams free, but from advertising and
that the sponsors of programs must
make them interesting or else the
public doesn't respond. When the
politicians decide that they alone can
say how much of Speech-making
shall be broadcast and that the sta
tions must balance equally the num-
Der of words spoken, no matter how
lacking In quality of news interest or
radio appeal the speeches happen
to be, they are saying that an arbi-
trary governmental force shall be
tnterposed at any time to upset
the relationship of broadcasting to
the public.
1t is foregone conclusion that
If vote of the listening public were
taken it would vote entertainment,
cultural and musical programs first
and that it would turn thumbs down
on large part of the speech-making
that goes on over the radio. But
the public interest" as the Amer
lean people would construe it isn't
at all related to what the politicians
want. This means that an excellent
means of communication which has
been giving entertainment to the
American people will now be sub
jected to the high-powered mono
TONES of the political ego.
The radio and the press are on the
same footing insofar as control of
what is published is concerned. If
the politicians can insist that all
their outgivings on national ques-
tions must be balanced equally, on
the radio irrespective of quality,
then the press some day by the same
logic can be compelled to print what
it does not find interesting. Just
because a United States Senator or
a member of Congress says some
thing doesn't make it news nor does
1t make the listening public anxious
to listen. The contest between pri-
vate or political control is just be-
ginning The resolution before the
Senate for an inquiry into the whole
subject of radio broadcasting is
timely, but it looks doubtful whether
1t will be passed.
Pressure" Probes Infrequent.
There have been hints of scandal
In connection with political pres
sure exerted in the past upon the
Federal Communications Commits
sion, and the last thing in the world
that is ever investigated around here
is the use of political pressure on
Government agencies.
Comments already made at the
Senate hearing are an alarming por-