Education by Radio (1932)

EDUCATION BY RADIO VOLUME 2. NUMBER 18. MAY 26. 1932 NEXT ISSUE. JUNE 9. 1932 A Proposal for Public Ownership of Radio Report of the Canadian Royal Commission on Radio Broadcasting Object of Commission — The Royal Commission on Radio Broadcasting was appointed by the government to inquire into the existing situation in Canada and to examine methods adopted in other countries. The purpose of the inquiry was to determine how radio broadcasting in Canada could be most effectively carried on in the interests of our listeners and in the national interests of Canada. According to the terms of reference of the Order in Council appointing the Commission, it was required: “to examine into the broadcasting situation in the Dominion of Canada and to make recommendations to the government as to the future ad¬ ministration, management, control, and financing thereof.” Methods in other countries — Before holding meetings in Canada, we considered it wise to visit some of the countries abroad where broadcasting is well organized or is in process of organization, so that we would be in a position, if necessary, to discuss with Canadian provincial authorities and others, the relative merits of the different methods employed. We found broadcasting especially well organized in Great Britain under the British Broadcasting Corporation, and in Germany where the radio service is also under a form of public ownership, con¬ trol, and operation. In France the situation has been studied by a government commission. No definite statement, however, can be made at the present time as to the recommendations of the commission. Everywhere in Europe we found inquiries being conducted under government auspices for the purpose of organ¬ izing broadcasting on a nationwide basis in the public interest. In addition to London, Berlin, Paris, and Lille, we visited The Hague, Brussells, Geneva, Dublin, and Belfast. A visit was also made to New York, where methods followed by the National Broadcasting Company were observed. We have also received information from Union Internationale de Radiophonie at Geneva, and other sources concerning broadcasting in countries which were not visited. Situation in Canada. ... In our survey of conditions in Canada, we have heard the present radio situation discussed from many angles with considerable diversity of opinion. There has, however, been unanimity on one fundamental question — Canadian radio listeners want Canadian broadcasting. This service is at present provided by stations owned by private enterprise and with the exception of two, owned by the govern¬ ment of the province of Manitoba, are operated by the licensees for purposes of gain or for publicity in connection with the licen¬ sees’ business. We believe that private enterprise is to be com¬ mended for its effort to provide entertainment for the benefit of the public with no direct return of revenue. This lack of revenue has, however, tended more and more to force too much advertising upon the listener. It also would appear to result in the crowding of stations into urban centers and the consequent duplication of services in such places, leaving other large popu¬ lated areas ineffectively served. The potentialities of broadcasting as an instrument of educa¬ tion have been impressed upon us; education in the broad sense, not only as it is conducted in the schools and colleges, but in providing entertainment and informing the public on questions of national interest. Many persons appearing before us have expressed the view that they would like to have an exchange of programs with the different parts of the country. At present the majority of programs heard are from sources outside of Canada. It has been emphasized to us that the con¬ tinued reception of these has a tendency to mould the minds of the young people in the home to ideals and opinions that are not Canadian. In a country of the vast geographical dimensions of Canada, broadcasting will undoubtedly become a great force in fostering a national spirit and interpreting national citizenship. At the conclusion of our inquiries, it is our task, the impor¬ tance of which we are deeply conscious, to suggest the means as to how broadcasting can be carried on in the interests of Cana¬ dian listeners and in the national interests of Canada. The Order in Council appointing us to undertake this work contains the suggestion that the desired end might be achieved in several ways provided funds are available, as: [a] The establishment of one or more groups of stations operated by private enterprise in receipt of a subsidy from the government; [b] The establishment and operation of stations by a govern¬ ment-owned and financed company; [c] The establishment and operation of stations by provin¬ cial governments. We have examined and considered the facts and circum¬ stances as they have come before us. As our foremost duty, we have concentrated our attention on the broader consideration of the interests of the listening public and of the nation. From what we have learned in our investigations and studies, we are impelled to the conclusion that these interests can be adequately served only by some form of public ownership, operation, and control behind which is the national power and prestige of the whole public of the Dominion of Canada. Proposed organization — The system which we propose does not fall within the exact category of any of those suggested in the Order in Council, but is one which might be regarded as a modification of [b] , i.e., “the establishment and operation of stations by a government-owned and financed company.” As a fundamental principle, we believe that any broadcasting organi¬ zation must be operated on a basis of public service. The sta¬ tions providing a service of this kind should be owned and oper¬ ated by one national company. Such a company should be vested with the full powers and authority of any private enter¬ prise, its status and duties corresponding to those of a public utility. It is desirable, however, that provincial authorities should be in a position to exercise full control over the programs of the station or stations in their respective areas. Any recom¬ mendation which we offer is primarily made with this object in Shall special interests control and censor all radio channels or shall officials elected by the people to administer civic affairs have the right to use some of them? [69]