Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1961)

Kennedy, Murrow meet with information advisory unit The objectives of the U. S. Information Agency and their implementation were reviewed before President John F. Kennedy Oct. 4 by the U. S. Advisory Commission on Information. The group met in the executive mansion. Edward R. Murrow, USIA director, told the commission about the part broadcasting and other media proposed logging forms at WWDC Washington and WFBM-TV Indianapolis had shown that in a four-hour period an employe thoroughly conversant with the forms was unable to cope with stop-watching, program classifying, timing and making estimates of the amount of local news in general news broadcasts, bulletins, etc. Special Interest ■ Some comments and proposals isolated certain objections to the forms: Kansas Assn. of Broadcasters: Let broadcasters submit a composite week of their own choosing covering the entire license period instead of only the last year. Ohio Assn. of Broadcasters: FCC should specify whether "development and encouragement of local talent" means broadcasters must embark on expensive training programs. Meredith Broadcasting Co.: Specify different programming forms for new applicants and license renewals. Renewal applicants with a record of performance to stand on should not have to make an elaborate programming showing. American Federation of Musicians: Add a requirement to the program form that all tv proposals must include some local live musical programs. New York Democratic State Committee: Forms should contain detailed are taking in his agency's campaign to provide a worldwide information service showing America's day-byday history and bringing factual accounts of news events. The advisory group reviews government information activities periodically. At the meeting were (clockwise, from left) : Sigurd S. Larmon, chair listing of political programs or editorials carried and should include a record of all candidates who have been refused time. Radio Press International: Remove unfair emphasis on local news. Good reporting requires national and international news as well and in these times it may have a profound effect on local affairs. WGAU-AM-FM Athens, Ga.: The number of commercial interruptions should be the average rather than maximum (which can "produce a dangerous and damaging picture, even of a good operation"). Religious Groups ■ The Oral Roberts Organization, an evangelist using radio and tv, protested against the separation of religious programs into commercial and sustaining categories. The National Council of Churches of Christ praised the proposed forms generally, suggested that sustaining and commercial distinction be retained in all categories. The American Council of Christian Churches, which represents fundamentalist Protestant sects, approved the sustaining distinction and said that broadcasters who only sell but will not give religious time do so for self enrichment instead of community spiritual enrichment. ACCC protested man of the board, Young & Rubicam; J. Leonard Reinsch, managing director of the Cox stations; Jonathan Daniels, editor, Raleigh (N. C.) News & Observer; President Kennedy; Dr. Mark A. May, professor emeritus, Yale U., commission chairman; Lewis W. Douglas, former ambassador to Great Britain (partly concealed) and Mr. Murrow. that many broadcasters discriminate in favor of the National Council, not realizing they are rivals. ACCC said many sermons broadcast contain controversial political or social matter and should be included when broadcasters report in this category. The Dissenters ■ Two who favored adoption of the proposed program forms and in fact urged that they be more stringent were AFTRA and Philco Broadcasting Corp. (applicant for ch. 3 Philadelphia, now used by WRCV-TV). Philco said a selected week should be submitted by licensees for each year of the renewal period. It further suggested that the FCC itself classify network fare as to category instead of leaving it to the licensee's judgment. Philco said its suggestions will benefit the conscientious broadcaster and disturb only those operating contrary to the public interest. AFTRA said the proposed forms would serve the public interest and community needs. The union said stations should have an obligation to explain why they reject network programs. AFTRA also said more information should be required about the manner in which community programs are broadcast, with specifics about whether the programs are recorded or live. 60 (GOVERNMENT) BROADCASTING, October 9, 1961