NAEB Newsletter (Sept-Oct 1952)

Cultural and Moral Issues Theater critic Hans Weigel/'''Austria. r s Alexander .Wooldott; who has for, years been fighting against communist •infiltration-in the arts and for.greater activity on the part of the country's' cultural organization^, was given a weekly broadcast,: After one of Weigel's cleverly led attacks. Austria’s official daily recently fired its music critic, a-famous and influential composer but a sympathizer with Soviet Russia It is partly due to Weigel’s activity that Austria's outstanding intellectuals are less infected by the communist'disease than'those of France Or even of Great Britain Daniel Brier, one of RWR's most"promising producers, concentrates on moral problems that arise in modern life. His broadcast is a series of wise and witty thoughts, philosophical at times, often whimsical.,: The audience which his program has Success fully built up is one which wants to learn about the human aspects of what is wrong with our world and mankind. He is also the moderator of the network's forum program and "RWR Radio"Parliament," a model of free speech, heard behind the Curtain where such criticism is taboo. Freedom of Expression Insured ' To ward off the Austrian's and Western European's sceptical- attitude, two other mem¬ bers of RWR's staff write and produce a man-in-the-street program for the average man. The problem of explaining political questions in this broadcast is only second ary> what matters most is that listeners in Austria and especially behind the Iron Curtain are taught to what: extent .criticism and discussion of everything on earth is not only possible but absolutely necessary in a free and democratic world. RWR also sets aside a certain amount of air time for each party of the.Austrian coalition cabinet, to the Trade Union Federation, and to the Chambers of Agriculture. Furthermore, cabinet ministers speak at regular intervals in broadcasts especially reserved for them. The Austrian situation in the psychological war is better than in many other parts o: the world, and Vienna has become an outpost- in the Western psychological offensive. RWR, Austria's American-sponsored network, undoubtedly has contributed greatly to this intensification of the campaign by the work of its versatile and energetic news team. „ ! - /"•" •' •' " ‘ ' ■' -• " : UTAH U. RADIO PERSONALITY AIRS EUROPEAN.MEWS PROGRAM Ann Wagner, broadcasting for the University of Utah, has been steadily building up a large and discriminating audience for over a year now with her "Voices .of Europe. M This feature has been broadcast weekly over KUTA, Salt Lake City, and tapes, have alsc been mailed to other stations throughout Utah for rebroadcasting.. "Voices of Europe" is a fifteen-minute educational commentary and has as its chief aim the furtherance of understanding between this nation and our neighbors abroad. An accomplished linguist, Miss Wagner translates .from representative, European news¬ papers of varying political points of view, bringing a summary of what Europeans write for.Europeans--especially what Europeans write about American affairs and Americans. Subject matter often ranges from what Europeans think about' our political candidates or what they think about the way we think about their affairs, to what they think about American drama in foreign theatres, or any of innumerable subjects which make headlines in Europe.. Miss Wagner has been a naturalized citizen of the United States for ten years. She, was born in Germany and educated cfri the Continent. Miss Wagner brings literal translations from the foreign press, summarizes but does not analyze or interpret, and attempts always to bring about greater international understanding by increasing the "community's knowledge about our neighbors abroad. "Voices of Europe," consistent with the University's belief that educational broad¬ casters should offer radio and TV fare not- usually aired by commercial interests, has built a large and appreciative audience in Salt. Lake City*.