Education by Radio (1932)

EDUCATION BY RADIO Radio Broadcasting in Europe he National Committee on Edu¬ cation by Radio sent Armstrong Perry, director of its Service Bu¬ reau, to Europe in August 1931. He was instructed to obtain from officials of each country information concerning radio broadcasting. The United States Department of State gave Mr. Perry a letter of introduction addressed to the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States of America. The United States Commissioner of Edu¬ cation gave him a letter of introduction addressed to educational officials in Eu¬ rope. In each of the thirty-five countries visited, Mr. Perry called first at the Amer¬ ican consulate, unless the consulate had previously made arrangements which ren¬ dered a call unnecessary. The consulates arranged for his interviews with radio officials and officials of public education. Usually a member of the staff of the con¬ sulate accompanied him and was present during the interviews. Mr. Perry prepared a report concerning each country and submitted these reports to the consulates which had arranged for his interviews. At his request the con¬ sulates submitted the reports to the per¬ sons interviewed except in one case in which the consulate suggested that the reports be sent directly to the persons interviewed. Such changes as were sug¬ gested by the consulates or by persons interviewed were made. The report of Mr. Perry’s investigation follows: Albania — No broadcasting station in operation. Andorra — No broadcasting station in operation. Austria — Broadcasting stations are operated by Ravag, a corporation, under a thirty-year contract with the govern¬ ment. A license fee of two schillings [about 30 cents] per month is charged for each radio receiver. Number of re¬ ceivers paying fee in 1930, 423,534. Gov¬ ernment retained 10% of license fees [about $152,472.24] plus 12% dividends on capital stock of Ravag, of which a large part is owned by the government, plus 50% of that portion of the net profits j which remains after payment of 8% divi¬ dend. Ravag received 90% of the license fees, about $1,372,250.16. No advertising broadcast. Licensed sets increased 12% in 1930. Further increase of 15,788 re¬ ceivers [3.77%] reported January 1 to July 1, 1931. Belgium — New law in effect June 1930, created the Belgian National In¬ stitute o) Broadcasting, composed of one representative of the government and In a Nutshell No. of countries having stations . 29 No. of countries having no stations . 7 No. in which the governments own and operate all stations and provide pro¬ grams . 7 No. in which the governments own and operate some of the stations and provide programs on these . 2 No. in which governments own and operate stations but have programs provided by program companies . 3 No. in which governments own the stations and grant op.rating concessions to pri¬ vate companies . 1 No. in which governments grant conces¬ sions to companies which build and operate stations and provide programs 17 No. in which governments own stock in operating or program companies . 4 No. in which broadcasting is supported entirely by license fees from listeners 10 No. in which voluntary contributions are the only source of revenue . 2 No. in which government appropriations are the only source of revenue . 2 No. in which advertising is the only source of revenue 1 . 1 No. in which license fees and other taxes support broadcasting . 1 No. in which license fees and voluntary contributions support broadcasting . 1 No. in which license fees and advertising support broadcasting 2 . 7 No. in which license fees, other taxes and advertising support broadcasting 2 . 4 No. in which license fees, voluntary con¬ tributions and advertising support broadcasting . 1 1 Luxemburg. The station is expected to open April 1, 1932. 2 The amount of revenue from advertising is negligible. An important source of revenue in some countries is the sale of program magazines. nine representatives of civic, educational, religious organizations so chosen as to in¬ sure unofficial representation of all politi¬ cal parties. The Institute began broad¬ casting in February 1931. Set owners pay license fee of 60 francs [about $2.40] yearly. Number of licensed sets in 1930, 81,150. Government retained 10% of license fees, 486,900 francs [about $13,633.20]. Institute received 90% [about $122,698.80] plus the proceeds of a 6% tax on all imported vacuum tubes. Advertising is prohibited. The two major stations are operated by the Institute. One college station and ten small local stations are operated by their respective manage¬ ments, but are not permitted to sell time for advertising. Licensed sets reported in July 1931, 69,437. Bulgaria — Only broadcasting station is operated by Rodno Radio, a private organization of listeners, under tempo¬ rary permission from government. There [25] are about 6000 members. Each pays 500 levras [about $3.58] per year. Programs controled by a commission of educators appointed by the government. Govern¬ ment collects a license fee of 500 levras from each set owner [3024 in 1930] and retains all of it. Revenue from this source about $10,825.92. Czechoslovakia — Broadcasting sta¬ tions owned by the government. Operated by Radio Journal, a corporation in which the government owns 51% of the capital stock. Radio Journal has no contract with the government and no assurance of con¬ tinuation of privileges. The government pays some of the operating engineers. Radio Journal pays the research engi¬ neers. Government collects license fee of 120 crowns [about $3.60] annually on receiving sets. Licensed sets in 1930, 315,241. Total license fees, about $1,134,867.60. Government retained 50% [about $567,433.80] . Radio Journal received the same amount. Sets reported as 325,000 in July 1931. Advertising prohibited as “impos¬ sible and undesirable.” American radio receivers and others imported into the country are subject to royalties which must be paid to the Telefunken Company. Danzig — Only broadcasting station is owned and operated by the government. A license fee of two and one-half gulden [about 50 cents] monthly is collected from each of 20,000 set owners. Total revenue, $120,000 per year. Balance after paying expenses, 10% [about $12,000]. Total time used for advertising, about five minutes daily. The listeners complain about this and it is believed that no more would be tolerated. Number of receiving sets reported as 16,000, July 1931. The Danzig station has connection with all German stations and those of central Eu¬ rope thru the Konigsberg station. Denmark — Government owns and operates stations. Advertising prohibited. News broadcasting handled by Pres sens Radio, an organization representing the newspapers and financed by the govern¬ ment. In 1922 listeners sent in voluntary contributions amounting to $15,000 to finance programs. Government operation started 1925. Number of licensed sets in 1930, 420,000; 1931, 450,000 [13% of the population, highest percentage in Eu¬ rope] . Set owners pay ten kronen [about $2.67] yearly. Income from this source, about $1,000,000 yearly. Operating ex