Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1943-11-19
A rec
Radio
By JAMES LAWRENCE. FLY
AndlIUdn
Federal Communications Commits
sion for Federated Press

/ L eQeraI C0mmunlcdJlOnS OOmmlS-
sion for Federated Press
Just how much freedom of
speech is there in radio? And
to what extent are the mil
lions of radios listeners free
to hear what they wish on
the air?
There can be no question but that
the general trend of radio broad
casting is to a vastly increasing
freedom of speech over the air.
However, there remain certain re-
strictions on free radio speech
which are matter of concern for
every one of US.
Many broadcasters, for example,
have voluntarily bound themselves
to a socalled "code of ethics" which
has the practical effect of barring
certain groups representing a sub
ST.. tial segment of public opinion
from the air. Under rules-of-
thumb, sanctioned by many indus
try leaders, radio licensees have
agreed not to sell time for the
discussion of controversial subjects
except for broadcasts by candi-
dates during political campaigns
and further to neither sell nor give
time for the solicitation of mem
berships. Except, significantly,
"where such memberships are in
cidental to the rendering of COM
mercial services such as an insur-
anc plan. or for membership IN
the American Red Gross or like
organizations engaged in charitable
work. "
These two prohibitions alone
have gone long way toward keep
ing labor unions, cooperatives
(typically consumer cooperatives),
little business mems associations
and many types of professional So
cieties off the air.
BAN ON SELLING
The ban against selling time for
the discussion of controversial sub
jects was one of the original provi-
sions in the Code formulated by
Natl. Assn. of Broadcasters, the
industry trade association, in 1889.
! (The NAB membership includes
over $50 of the nations commercial
broadcast stations). That Code con-
tanned many worthwhile provisions
designed to protect the public. The
prohibition against selling time for
controversial subjects was balanced
by a stipulation in the Code that
a reasonable" amount of free time
would be provided for such pro-
grams.
Now if adequate time were avail
able and if all responsible groups
shared equally in this time, there
would be no cause to complain.
However, the plain fact is that
radios phenomenal success as an
advertising medium has meant the
best hours of the radio day are
given over to commercial programs.
BROADCASTERS
DEFENDED STAND
In 1889 the broadcasters defend
ed their stand on the ground that
were time sold for the discussion
of controversial material "it would
inevitably gravitate into the hands
of those with the greater means
to buy it." This statement COM
pletely ignored the broadcaster's
obligation to his listeners under
the radio statute. AS l told a net
work official at a public hearing
before the FEC some weeks ago,
if time is going to be sold merely
on a "first come, first served"
basis, without any direction at all,
the office boys might just as well
run the networks. The licensee Of
radio station is given franchise
to use sin the public interest" He
has clear responsibility to see
that he has a well-balanced pro-
gram structure and that all re-
sponsible points of view are rep
resented.
At the recent hearings on the
sale of the Blue Network, / was
surprised to find the position taken
by one witness THAT he would sell
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