U. S. Radio (Jan-Dec 1960)

wasliington Afmospheric Conditions on Covernment Controls Clearing Although tlie atniosijhere in bioadcasiiiig circles has generally been one ol apprehension about the possibility o£ more stringent governniein conirols, there appear to be signs that these Icars are without loundation. S])eaking iielore a recent Fall Conlerence ol the National Association ol Hioadtasteis, Merrill Lindsay, a member ol the NAB policy connniliee, said that recent government actions "go in the diieciion ol emancipating broadcasters" Irom too risjid controls. Developments Indicate Less 'Starch' in Federal Actions In documenting his ojjinion, Mr. Lindsay relerred to a number ol recent developments. These include: (1) Plans of the Federal Communications Cionnnission to peinn't broadcasters to plan their overall piogianmiing on the basis ol specific connnunily needs rather than fixed peiceniages. (2) Congressional modification of the Connnunications Act to give broadcasters more latitude in dealing with candidates for President and Vice President. The ecpial opportunity ride was set aside for this year's presidential campaign to enable full presentation of the candidates of the two majoi parlies. (3) Withdrawal of the FCC's policy statement which had imjjlied that iiroadcasters shoidd ainioimce the source of records received liee ol chaige and used loi bioadcasi |)ui poses oidv. More Programming Latitude May Result from New FCC Stand (.oing into detail about the FC^C's attitude towards programming, Mr Lindsay said that radio station operators will be able in the future to offer broadcasting service reflecting the specific needs of their communities rather than be limited by artificial perceniage recpiirements which often lesult in the duplication of already existing services. "The Commission," he pointed out, "will re\ ise its application loinis to iccjuire of the applicant a naiyalive statement of the measures he has taken, and the effort he has made to deternn'ne the taste, needs and desires of his connnunitv or service area — and the manner in which he is iiiceting them." Broadcasters Advised to Keep Public Officials Well Informed In another reference to broadcasting's relations with goveiinujiu, Howard H. Bell, NAB vice president for industry affairs, said that broadcasters "can best preserve their freedom to operate by establishing wider contacts and mutual imderstanding among pidjlic officials at local, state and national levels." Mr. Bell indicated that broadcasters, if they are to continue to operate in the pid)lic interest, nuist take the offensive in seeing to it that they "remain liec and uideiteied by government control. . . . Broadcasters should strive for greater knowledge on the pan of public officials of the functions, the [jroblems and the ac tivities of bioadcastinsf. Out of this knowledge naturallv flows understanding — and when we are understood there is less likelihood that laws or rules restricting our freedom will be suggested or adopted." NAB Survey Confirms Radio's Trend to On-Air Editorials It has been generally accepted that radio stations have been giving greater emphasis to on-the-air editorials. A survey conducted by the NAB research department tends to confirm this view. According to the NAB, 61.8 percent of the radio stations replying to a questionnaire, present editorials on the air. Of this group, 49.6 percent editorialize occasionally and 12.2 percent regularly. Other finclings of the survey (Cont'd on p. 14) 12 U. S. RADIO November 1960