Evening star., 1942-01-16
Impromptu Programs
Curbed 10 Bar Spies
Messages on Radio
Quiz Show Precautions
Are Added to U. S.
News Censorship Code

News Censorship Code
Regulations to keep enemy
spies from broadcasting military
data to submarines or secret
stations over impromptu radio
programs were issued today by
the ONCE Of Censorship.
In addition, radio stations were
told that because they were being
heard abroad by Axis intelligence
operatives, certain material which
may appear on the news service
wires as approved for newspapers
may not be appropriate for radio"
Mr.. Price explained that while
printed matter is censored at the
national borders, mo such post
publication censorship Is possible IN
radio" He announced that j. H.
Ryan Of Toledo, Ohio, assistant di-
rector Of censorship, would admin
lister the radio code.
Censorship Director Byron Price
called on broadcasters to ban cer-
tain types Of quiz and request pro-
grams and conduct forums and au-
dience interviews with caution.
Request Numbers Banned.
It was asked that no telephone or
telegraph requests for musical num-
bers be accepted during the war. and
that no given request be given at the
requested time.
Request was made that "all audi
ence- ton type quiz pro-
grams originating from remote
points, either by wire, transcription
or short wave. be discontinued" with
certain qualifications. 1t was noted
that any program permitting the
public access to an open microphone
"is dangerous and should be care
fully supervised" and that generally
speaking ANY quiz program origi-
mating remotely. wherein the group
Is small, and wherein no arrange
ment exists for investigating the
background of participants, should
be discontinued. When large
groups are involved, where partici-
pants are selected from a theater
audience, for example, the danger
Is not 50 great"
In studio-audience quiz shows no
individual seeking participation
should be guaranteed participation,
the code said.
Such quiz, request. interview and
forum programs, the censorship Of
flce warned, might be used by Axis
agents to communicate with their
headquarters or with saboteurs
through prearranged signals,
These restrictions are in addition
TO the news censorship code.
Weather News Restricted.
The code asks refusal of requests
TO call mass meetings or make emer-
gency announcements, except when
they come from official sources.
Sharp restrictions have been
placed on weather broadcasts. The
radio may use only such weather
date as specifically approved for 1t
by the Weather Bureau. and broad
casters have been asked to avoid ref
erence to weather conditions in de-
scribing current events.
The code asks withholding from
the air reports of information from
sources as to ship sink
ings, or reverses or successes of land
forces.
Mr.. Price advised radio to steer
clear of dramatic programs which
attempt to partray the horrors OF
combat; to avoid sound effects which
might be mistaken for air raid
alarms"
Favorable reaction to the new code
was general in local radio circles.
Ofncials pointed out most of the rules
already had been adopted here un-
der network or station policies.
Fred Shawn. assistant manager
Of Stations WRC and WMAL, ex-
pressed the opinion the code would
not mean program adjustments for
the National Broadcasting Co. and
Blue Network outlets here, since
appropriate safeguards already have
been taken to prevent a particular
persons being assured of place on a
quiz period. The stations have had
no man-in-the-stree features re-
Gently, Mr.. Shawn added.
Only One Feature Affected.
Harry c. Butcher, Washington
vice president OF the National
Broadcasting Co., praised the code
as "a good document and said he
felt certain its enforcement would
be accomplished voluntarily since
the industry had been consulted
in its preparation and had con-
fidence in censorship officials
II think 1t shows a good deal OF
restraint" Mr.. Butcher commented.
Miss Madeline Ensign, program
director of Station VOL, said vir-
tually the only feature affected at
the local Mutual outlet was its all
night telegraphic request recording
program. Miss Ensign explained it
would be studied with view to de-
termining whether 1t could hold its
audience without the request fea-
ture.
Sam Lawder, program director Of