NAEB Newsletter (Mar 1957)

BOX SCORE Total TV Stations — 535 (includes 22 non-commercial) Total AM Stations — 3014 (includes 37 non-commercial) Total FM Stations — 652 (includes 125 non-commercial) were aware of their existence. In many communities the number of fine programs — news, drama, music, information and discussion — will often exceed the amount of time that even the most avid serious listener or viewer can devote to them. In those fortunate areas which have educational stations, the total amount of good broadcasting will be enormous. Yet I often encounter people who are unaware of the riches offered by Minneapolis and St. Paul stations, despite the outstanding job of Twin Cities’ newspapers and stations in promoting good broadcasts. All of us know some educational adminstrators who fully appreciate the potentialities of broadcast¬ ing for education. Yet several researchers who re¬ cently traveled about the country studying ETV have told me about meeting many university, col¬ lege and public school administrators whose know¬ ledge of broadcasting was amazingly small, and whose opinion of it was low. If the men who set edu¬ cational policies have only slight understanding of radio and TV, the departments in their institutions which do broadcasting will probably be limited both in scope and budget. One of NAEB’s most important assignments, therefore, is that of selling all intellectual leaders, especially educational administrators on the social potentialities and educational values of broadcasting. We have made a good start. Our conventions, reg¬ ional meetings, seminars and workshops have broad¬ ened educational outlooks and improved' performance skills. Whenever possible we have included in such meetings key administrators, some of whom become ardent advocates of our cause. As an organization we have come a long way since the deservedly praised Allerton House Con¬ ference of 1949. But much remains to be done, not only by bur officers, committees, and headquarters staff, but also by our individual members. Every time one of us increases his professional stature, he adds something to the status of broadcasting. Every time a good program is broadcast, something is done to improve serious broadcasting. Above all, every time our administrative sup¬ eriors are able to identify us as spokesmen for all of the educational services provided by their insti¬ tutions through radio and TV, rather than just as representatives of narrow technical and professional interests, the cause of educational broadcasting moves forward. MEMO FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR —Harry Skornia The past month could best be described as relatively uneventful. Some periods are like that - their fruits being apparent only much later. The most interesting personal experience I had was a trip to Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, to address a provincial conference on TV and Adult Education. The weather was cold but the re¬ ception and welcome were most warm. So was the pace: an hour-long “keynote” address, a TV ap¬ pearance, and several talks to the conference, the Teachers College, student body and others. I was greatly impressed by the sincere interest and enthusiasm of all associated with the conference, as well as the representatives of the CBC and local commercial stations, who were in attendance and con¬ tributed greatly to its success. Following the announcement of committees by President Burton Paulu, various committees are hard at work on projects you’ll be hearing about as they progress. I believe credit belongs to those who do, and, therefore, I do not propose to steal their thunder at this time. It can be said that a great deal of consideration was given by the Professional Advancement Com¬ mittee at its recent meeting to the development of professional attitudes and standards for broadcasters. You’ll be hearing more on this as the appointed sub¬ committee begins to bring in recommendations. We were also pleased, during the month, to see two new publications: The Journal of Broadcasting, a quarterly publication of the Association for Pro¬ fessional Broadcasting Education (published at USC, Los Angeles 7); and Schools for Tomorrow, by Dr. Alexander J. Stoddard, published by the Fund for the Advancement of Education. Both deserve your at¬ tention. The former is of value for its data on legal, pro¬ gramming and other areas in broadcasting generally, as related to education rather than educational sta¬ tions. The second is the most powerful salvo we have yet heard on behalf of ETV as a logical instrument to contribute economically and soundly to the solution of current and impending school and enrollment pro¬ blems. Several NAEB reports and publications are “in the works” at the moment. We hope this year will be one of our best as far as useful services to members are concerned. Finally, thanks to the many of you who took time to comment on the new Newsletter format. We’re always grateful for your reactions - as well as stories and pictures we can use. NEWSLETTER