Television digest with AM-FM reports (Jan 1951-Jan 1952)

3 ! (Industry has been applauding Sen. Johnson for his cool attitude towards the reservation of channels for educational institutions. But, after reading comments , filed by Colorado educational groups, that they support reservations, he wrote Com. mission that he knows very v;ell schools in his State can't afford such "frills". ( Then, he added, way to get education into TV may be through imposing conditions on . licenses of commercial stations "requiring them to devote appropriate time for edu1 cational purposes." Meanwhile, to clear up rag-tag of allocation issues, in preparation for the i "big push," Commission is attempting to dispose of 470-500 me question — that is, (Whether band should be given to TV or set aside for common carrier use. I TELECASTERS PLAN SELF-CENSORSHIP CODE: Telecasting industry gets off to good start . with the Washington authorities, so far as self-regulation of programs is concerned, iif attitudes manifest at all-industry conference on program standards mean anything. Instead of threatening with a big stick, FCC Chairman Coy and the powerful • Sen. Ed Johnson, chairman of Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee ruling radio, I simply passed along friendly words of admonition and advice to the 105 telecasters representing 65 stations and all networks attending NARTB-sponsored parley June 22. Though Coy called meeting "logical forerunner" of FCC's announced program ( inquiry (Vol. 7:3-5,16), the soul-searching among telecasters themselves and concilI iatory attitude of the lawmakers was so heartening that some ventured opinion such *a probe (which some fear has Blue Book implications) can be headed off — that is, ■ if industry does good job of uplift and self-censorship. Opinion was well-founded, for FCC plainly wants to be friends with industry ( and has hands plenty full with problems of ending freeze — under prodding now of tSen. Johnson himself. Even Coy remarked he seems to be "on a honeymoon" with the broadcasters again, now that he has been reappointed. ) 1 Group unanimously adopted resolution by WBAP-TV's Harold Hough calling for , "extensive and careful review of present program practices with a view to establish! ing standards of self-regulation designed to improve character of TV programming..." Thereupon NARTB president Harold Fellows was directed to appoint committee, , to make "an immediate and thorough investigation of all the aspects of promulgating standards for TV... in consultation with representatives of govt., public, civic and ^ other special groups" — and to draft a proposed code. V ^ ^ ^ Said Sen. Johnson; "I know you can do it yourselves." He warned against program excesses (though said he, as a fan and grandfather of children who love TV, found few to complain of). But he warned that criticisms aren't always the work of "bluenoses". He went on, after telling how school kids of his own Colorado (still without TV) are writing him to ask when it will come there: "I like television. It is the greatest science and art that ever came to the human race. It has restored the home again. "I'm a TV and radio fan, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I get a lot out I of it, including the advertising. When cleverly done, that too is entertaining [loud applause] and I think most people feel the same way as I do." Said Coy: "I am delighted that you are exploring ways and means here today : to strengthen TV... by moving in on these problems yourselves." He predicted that [ positive action by telecasters to improve the programming level would bring about "an immediate upsurge of public confidence" — and said this could be done "without the benefit of govt, intervention." ^ ❖ Coy cited as "most prevalent" of some 1000 complaints FCC had received during 72-day period (covering both radio and TV) : objected to advertising alcoholic ; beverages , 255; indecency, obscenity or profanity, 221; false or misleading advertising, 128; lotteries & giveaway schemes, 107. He noted, though, that anti-liquor complaints were obviously part of organized prohibition and temperance campaigns. Coy suggested telecasters consider these "Blue Book" points in determining L