Film and Radio Guide (Oct 1945-Jun 1946)

32 FILM AND RADIO GUIDE Volume XII, No. 4 IS RADIO EDUCATIONAL? BY I. KEITH TYLER Professor of Education, Ohio Stofe University, Columbus Is radio an educational agency? In the present critical period, will the broadcasting facilities of the world be dedicated to the tremendous task of developing mutual understanding among the varied nations and peoples? Or will they be used primarily for profit, on the one hand, or national aggrandizement, on the other? This is the basic issue of broadcasting in the post-war world. All other issues are trivial in comparison. In an age of atomic bombs and robot, globegirdling airplanes, either we learn to get along with other nations and peoples, or we all die. There is no other alternative. If men and women everywhere are to understand each other and to have possession of the facts basic to continuous adjustments in economics, culture, and politics, a gigantic program of education must be undertaken. It must begin at once, it must proceed with utmost speed, and it must use every available avenue of communication. Because of the urgency of the task and because of its demonstrated effectiveness during the w'ar, radio constitutes the prime medium for this all-important job. It is instantaneous, it can reach all levels of the population, and it can achieve results. What is to prevent its maximum use in this highest priority enterprise? In the first place, radio may not be accorded serious recognition as an educational agency by educators themselves. When Reprinted from “The News Letter," December, 1945." a great educational need is recognized, planning to meet the situation is all too frequently circumscribed by the traditional boundaries of scholastic endeavor. Thus the Educational and Cultural Organizations of the United Nations, like its predecessor, the Institute for Intellectual Cooperation, may find itself concerned primarily with the exchange of professors and students, the circulation of research documents and scholarly publications, and the interchange of artists and their works. Yet the whole future of civilization may depend much more upon the adequacy of popular education derived from radio, motion pictures, and the press. Likewise, the formal educational groups, the American Council on Education, the American Association of University Professors, the National Education Association, and the like, seldom give serious consideration to the great mass media, and in their attitude toward radio broadcasting, they demonstrate their utter failure to grasp its vital significance in this supremely important educational job. In the second place, American broadcasting may find the pursuit of profit preventing radio’s real dedication to this educational enterprise. If another war destroys civilization — as it most certainly will — there will remain neither broadcasting nor an American enterprise system. It would seem that the development of international understanding and enlightenment is just as important today as winning the war was yesterday, and just as much outside the realm of reasonable controversy. During the war period, the radio stations of this country did a magnificent job. They dedicated time, talent and resources to a variety of war services with signal success. They aided the w'ar on the home front and around the world. Coincidentally, they prospered in unparalleled fashion. Due to the nature of tax regulations, the abundant activity of business enterprise, and the patriotism of advertisers who sponsored war programs, broadcasters found that winning the war went hand-inhand with enlarged profits. But in peacetime, far-sighted vision and dedication to the public welfare may not necessarily result in greater monetary returns. Public service may really be in conflict with profit. Will American radio, recognizing the urgency of the educational task, be willing to forego a portion of gain for the public good? Will broadcasters tackle this challenging enterprise in the same spirit of whole-hearted devotion that characterized their war effort? Will winning the peace have priority over business as usual? In the third place, radio may not be used vigorously because of the traditional fear of propaganda. Americans are rightfully antagonistic to a controlled radio; they want access to complete information. But this policy may operate to encourage inaction. Broadcasters may shirk their rightful responsibilities in the name of fair play. International matters are controversial ; better avoid them en