Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-08
Radio $ Problem

sponsored and featured commentators indulge in PAR
TISANSHIP and Objectionable PROPAGANDA in their
periods on the air waves
one,minute speech made by Rep Clare f Hoffman
of Michigan and reported in the Congressional Record
provided the basis for the editorial.
1t says Mr. Hoffman
referred TO a broadcast in which the COM
mentaor urged the reelection of representative and
the defeat of three others, including himself.
And Mr. Hoffman drew the inference that THE
THREE TARGETS were chosen BECAUSE THEY HAD
SUPPORTED THE DIES COMMITTEE, while THE
FAVORED CANDIDATE had OPPOSED that commit
tees operations.
THE commentator is sponsored by manufacturing
concern and Representative Hoffman wondered
whether he employed to sell his sponsors merchandise
or whether he is broadcasting for the Communists
Expressing its opinion, Editor & Publisher said:
we regard it as mighty bad business judgment for
ANY advertiser pay money for broadcasts dealing with
partisan politics"
THERE also may be a legal liability implicit in such
L occurrences
Under the Corrupt Practices Acts, it is criminal
oense corporations make direct financial contrbu
tons to political campaigns.
Is not the spirit at least, of the Corrupt Practices
a commentator who urges the people FOR
candidate for public office to vote AGAINST another?
From the commercial aspect alone it is apparent that
the commentator in question could have made no good
will for his employer.
THE Dies committee has been repeatedly sustained by
i overwhelming vote of Congress, and surveys have
shown repeatedly that has the support and approval of
the majority of the American people, to whom COM
munism is repugnant
Furthermore it is obviously silly for business
Germ which its opportunities and its profits to
system of free enterprise, to employ commentators who
rive aid and comfort to an theology" which seeks to
subvert the system.
OF COURSE all radio commentators not alike.
~ Some of them
The more intelligent probably are able to give fair
factual informative and interesting discussions.
However, great deal of rank propaganda and of
biased irresponsible talk goes out the networks
in the guise Of news reports and comment either
sponsored by some mercantile else presented
by the radio companies themselves which after all
business organizations too.
Most of this drivel undoubtedly offensive large
proportion of radio listeners, and is bound to become
increasingly
Insofar it bad will for its sponsors, mis-
&ads the public with transformation Misrepresentation
to discredt American institutions and tends to
create dsunity among people, is positively per-
nicious.
T DTTOR G. PUBLISHER summed the problem up in
l. these words
THE entire field of and political comment
the air needs close watching and ITS PRACTICE MAY
REQUIRE AN OVERHAUL
THE broadcasters and the sponsors may disclaim
any responsibility for the views of commentators, but it
will be difficult to make that denial stand up i'm the face
of such questions those put by Mr. Hoffman.
a newspaper must assume, under the law, COM
PLETE RESPONSIBILITY for its news and editorial
content.
Radio eventually, MUST DO LIKEWISE, and the
assumption carries with it no implication whatever of a
limit the right of legitimate free expression"
Perhaps tbs whole subject is matter for the Ma
tional Association of Broadcasers to go into thoroughly
and nasmuch the subject being discussed in Con-
gress perhaps they would better be slow too
diffident about it,
BAERING DOWN ON THE NEWS: