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6/21/40
MUNDT RAPS FCC MONOPOLY REPORT
Wiaile continuing his advice to broadcasting executives via the Congressional Record, Representative Karl E, Mundt (R.), of South Dakota, this week came to the defense of radio networks under fire in the Monopoly report of the Federal Communications Commission.
'•Mr. Speaker, all Members of Congress are aware of the severe charges recently leveled at the American radio industry by certain Government officials charging it with 'monopolistic practices* and other unfair policies", he said, "Personally, I am unwilling to subscribe to these charges on the basis of avail • able evidence. I think that the record of American radio, taken as a whole, is highly commendable. Great public service is render¬ ed the public by radio through Its practice of making available to speakers of opposing sides on controversial Issues like per¬ iods of free time to present their arguments. To my knowledge radio has not yet been guilty of using its monopoly of favorite air waves and its protective licenses and perrolts to sponsor one set of protagonists against another or to freeze out opposing viewpoints. It is my sincere hope that radio will never permit itself to become guilty of such prejudicial practices because to my mind that would be a big step backward through providing po¬ tent arguments for more Government control or supervision and for substituting bureaucratic control never very satisfactory and seldom very equitable for self-restraint and fair-play codes which radio can much better provide for itself by a faithful recognition of the responsibilities which always attach them¬ selves to such special privileges as radio presently enjoys. "
Representative Mundt Inserted in the Record a letter from H. V. Kaltenborn, together with his reply, and apologized for suggesting that the commentator had been dismissed by the Columbia Broadcasting System when he switched to the National Broadcasting Company recently.
Expressing the hope that "radio may redouble its efforts to avoid Justifiable criticism", the Congressman set forth five factors for radio executives to consider.
"First. Ninety percent of present-day radio programs are free from substantial criticism by the public. That in it¬ self is a high tribute to American radio. The 10 percent of radio programs which cause concern are the 'opinionated observa.tions' of speakers who are either on the pay roll of the radio corapa,nies themselves or who speak *for hire' for commercial spon¬ sors. Radio cannot afford to Ignore the significance as molders of public opinion which these 'opinionated observers* ha.ve a,nd the delica^te problem giDwing out of them concerning how far ra.dio or commercial sponsors should go in emnloying 'speakers for hire' to shape public opinion.
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