Radio annual (1950)

by DOROTHY LEWIS Coordinator, United Nations Radio THE Charter of the United Nations states that "The United Nations cannot achieve the purpose for which it has been created unless the peoples of the world are fully informed of its aims and activities." Because radio is an instantaneous means of intelligence transmission and because it reaches across borders to the illiterate as well as the educated — its utilization in fulfilling this directive is strategic. Since there are two billion citizens in United Nations' 59 member states, broadcasters have a ready market for United Nations programs. While United Nations activities in the fields of politics, economics, science, art, agriculture, human rights, etc. are global in scope — they are intimately related to everyday living and are therefore excellent grist for the program mill. During 1949 United Nations Radio, many systems of broadcasting, networks and local stations have materially increased their efforts to dramatize this unfolding story of man's effort to establish a peaceful world. , SECTIONS: The Radio Division of UN consisting of 90 members from some 25 member states, is divided into four sections: European and Middle Eastern Services, Latin American Services, Trans-Pacific Services and English Language Services. Each week about 20-25 hours are devoted to live broadcasts of regular meetings. Approximately 100 hours of broadcasting originate weekly at Lake Success except during the General Assembly when the output increases materially. This figure does not reflect the countless hours of rebroadcast by national systems, networks, local stations. United Nations news and feature programs are released to all member states in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Dutch, Norwegian, Arabic, Icelandic, Greek, Turkish, Serbo-Croat, Polish, Czech, Amharic, Persian, Pushtu, Hebrew, Italian, Portugese, Burmese, Hindustani, Siamese, Indonesian-Malay, Tagalog and Urdu. "UNITED NATION TODAY," the daily (Monday through Friday) Peabody Awardwinning actuality news review, now in its third year, is carried by some 175 U. S. stations and is transmitted overseas to Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. It covers not only day-to-day United Nations news from all parts of the world but voices of delegates. "MEMO FROM LAKE SUCCESS"— another Peabody winner — began its second season in September 1949 over the Columbia Broadcasting System and in Canada over CBC. It is released overseas to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is noteworthy that exclusive statements by its featured personalities have made newspaper headlines regularly from coast-to-coast. "TWO BILLION STRONG":— This decomentary-type, half-hour series, carried by 225 ABC stations, had the distinction of being repeated in evening time during the summer of 1949. For this series UN's roving reporter travelled extensively to secure exclusive interviews and color. "U. N. STORY":— Mr. Benjamin A. Cohen, Assistant Secretary-General, addressed the National Association of Broadcasters 1949 convention on "Independents" Day. His offer of several special services to this segment of the industry was met with enthusiastic response. As a direct result, 300 independent stations in 44 states have scheduled a weekly 15-minute transcribed feature program, entitled "U. N. Story," by a relay process. Under its earlier title, "Operation U. N.", the show won an award at the Ohio Institute for Education by Radio. It is carried in many English-speaking countries. NBC CAMPAIGNS FOR U.N.: For the fourth consecutive year, the Public Affairs and Education Department of the National Broadcasting Company, New York, presented its annual NBCUnited Nations Project, the purpose of which was to bring before the American public, through radio and television, the political as well as the social and economic accomplishments of the United Nations. The slogan for 1949 was "The United Nations Works For YOU." TELEVISION AT UNITED NATIONS: It is indeed fortunate for millions of people that television has developed so rapidly in the last year through phenomenal increased distribution of television receiving sets and improved transmission. Most of the 84 U. S. television stations are now associated in networks. Early in 1949, U. N. began (Continued on Page 73) 43