Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1945-01-13
FAIR
ENOUGH
BY Westbrook =
Peeler :

"A practices of advertisers and
radio companies in presenting
news interpretations" and
commentaries" reveals some
dangerous developments which
have crept upon us by stealth
in the few years that this form
of public appeal has been oper-
ating.
In these war times, when
goods and services are curtailed,
many advertisers continue TO
buy space merely to keep alive
in the public mind their trade
names and regulations, devoting
the text, however, to messages
of public spirit.
All this is abnormal adverUs-
ing and. presumably. will SUBJ
side when business competition
is resumed.
IN RADIO, however, the COM
i panies operating the stations
and the sponsors OF the pro-
grams, who are advertisers,
began with a new and peculiar
set of conditions.
From that beginning they
have developed a mischievous,
impudent and reckless system
which attempts TO shrug off re-
sponsibility for SANDER and
other offenses forbidden in adj
vertising by the printed word. -.
The Blue Network frankly
admits that il has no control
over two of its so-called COM
mentators and is unable TO offer
either protection or redress to
persons and business firms who
are vilified with statements
which the company executives
themselves know TO be false and
malicious.
In one such case, Ed Noble,
the chief of the Blue Network,
admitted that he was engaged
in the business of presenting an
INSCRIPTIONS blackguard on the
air but plaintively explained
that any victim of a discredita-
bic and completely false episode
broadcast over his chain would
be wise 10 let the matter drop.
Both Noble and Chester La
Roche, vice president OF the
company, said they were power
less and pleaded freedom OF
Speecn" as justification for wan
ton abuse of reputable citizens.
With the exception Of single
publicatio on the New Deal
side, there j. no newspaper or
magazine in the United States
which affects a similar attitude
toward any advertiser or COLI
umniSt OF the printed word
Thus, in the press. an adver-
liSer who is conscious OF the APP
peal OF scandal 10 the naked car
is not permitted TO use il in a
column of bought space.
49,
IN THE development of the
i sponsored radio news "ansly-
Sis" or Comment" the adpeF-
tiSer has found a way 10 make
political contributions from a
corporation TO the interests Of a
candidate and party through
the purchase OF radio time.
The sponsor may be rank
opportuniSt willing TO court any
consequences even 10 commu-
nism or fasciSm for the sake OF
sales.
He may want the favor or
good Will OF the treasury in a
borderline tax case OF of the
Department of Justice or some
bureau in d position 10 withhold
prloritles or contracts.
Or he may be "A Communist,
no unthinkable possibility in
manufacturer since the Com
munistS decided TO bore from
within business as we'll as from
within labor and politics
THE Blue Network has re-
Il Gently sold tirhe 10 the Elec-
tronic Corporation OF America
whose proprietor. Samuel No
vick. retained as their news
analyst a thief and impostor
known by the false name OF
Gailmor who breaches the line
taken by the Communists in
European politics.
There are at least three other
local exhorters on the air IN
New York. one of whom like
Gallmor. is known TO use an
alias, all preaching the Conn
munist line under the SPONSOR
ship of advertisers.
Nevertheless, in the case OF
Gailmop and his two scan
dalmongerS,- often guilty OF
outright, malicious falsehood
broadcast over his network. he
thought radio was we'll within
the proprieties and its respon.
SlbllltieS 10 the public.
He does not think his license
should be revoked
II WILL be seen that by this
method a commercial adver-
tlser may become a dangerous
political monster.
The propaganda has no rela-
tion TO his product.
Few newspapers would sell
him space for the operation OF
this subterfuge but on the air
he may become powerful
agitator and charge this POLITE
cal contribution TO, the leeiti-
mate purpose Of advertising.
These are phases of radio
which up TO now have been onlv
vaguely and uneasily sensed by
reputable and Datriotic radio