Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1957)

GOVERNMENT Senate Okays Henry J. Taylor As Ambassador to Switzerland THE SENATE by a voice vote last Thursday approved the nomination of Henry J. Taylor of Virginia, former news commentator for ABC Radio and NBC Radio, as Ambassador to Switzerland. A former war correspondent with ScrippsHoward newspapers, Mr. Taylor also holds various positions on the boards of several banking firms and is board chairman of Silicone Paper Co. of America. Daytimers' Proposal Denounced By 170 Regional Radio Stations SOME 170 fulltime regional radio stations have objected — in a joint letter to Sen. Wayne Morse (D-Ore.) — to the daytime broadcasters' petition for extended hours. In an 11th hour letter to Sen. Morse on the opening day (April 29) of the hearings before the Senate Special Daytime Radio Broadcasting Subcommittee [B»T, May 6], the regional broadcasters declared in part: "This Daytime Broadcasters' proposal in its essence is contrary to the spirit in which the daytime broadcasting authorizations were made in the first place. . . ." ". . . the degree of objectionable interference created by such operations prior to local sunrise and following local sunset seriously decreases the coverage for which the original fulltime regional broadcasting stations were designed, with a resultant loss of service to large segments of the American radio public." The letter further asserted that to permit extended hours of operation for the daytimers "is to countenance a degradation of radio service wholly without regard to the best interest of the American public." It was sent to Sen. Morse "by an informal association of fulltime regional broadcasters" headed by Leroy Kilpatrick, vice president, WSAZ-AM-TV Huntington, W. Va. FCC Asked for Ruling On Anonymous Broadcasts A NEW TYPE of radio discussion program has aroused the concern of some broadcasters and has impelled Washington radio attorney Paul M. Segal to ask the FCC for a ruling. In an April 29 letter to the FCC, Mr. Segal called attention to what he called anonymous discussion programs. The format, he explained, was for a master of ceremonies to make random telephone calls and get people to discuss public issues, institutions and persons. These remarks are then recorded and broadcast — without identification of the speakers. "Obviously," Mr. Segal stated, "a person selected at random to broadcast his view anonymously is tempted to go pretty far . . . the program derives its interest from the vigor of the view expressed." Some go beyond the bounds of fair comment, Mr. Segal declared, adding he has told his clients to refuse to air such programs. But, they have informed him, other stations are doing so. Mr. Segal said he is in favor of the FCC policy encouraging responsible public discussion, "but know of no consideration supporting anonymous discussion which of necessity is irresponsible." He added: "It can lead to many undersirable results, especially where campaigns for a certain point of view or in favor of or against certain organizations, can be planned and furthered behind a curtain." He asked for the Commission's view on this matter. Eugene Castle Urges Abolition Of USIA as Separate Agency ABOLITION of the U. S. Information Agency as an "international disgrace" was advocated before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee last Thursday by Eugene Castle, founder and former president of Castle Films, and a propagandist for the government in both World Wars. Mr. Castle lashed out at the USIA and its director, Arthur Larson, who testified many times at the subcommittee hearings presided over by Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson (D-Tex.) Mr. Larson asked the Senate to restore $30 million of the $38 million cut from the agency's proposed 1958 budget by the House on April 1 1 . The USIA had asked for $144 million for TO COVER FRESNO ANO THE BILLION DOLLAR RICH SAN JOAQUin VALLEY USE THE PROVEN f NUMBER! STATION fVesno... channe DOES THE JOB FOR YOU BEST AND AT LOWER COST' LATEST ARB SHOWS KJEO -TV CHANNEL 47 AGAIN LEADS! ★ BIGGEST AUDIENCE... Sign On to Off! ★ LOWEST RATE CARD.. . Save . . check your SRDS ! REPRESENTED NATIONALLY BY THE BRAN HAM COMPANY O'Afe/// Sroocfcasfinq Company P.O.BOX HOB, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA Page 66 May 13, 1957 Broadcasting • Telecasting