U. S. Radio (Jan-Dec 1961)

shown in Wichita brought forth a Hood of comment on various sides of the problem, reports the station. As a result of lliis particular editorial, stales KM I, a number of citizens representing a cross-section of the community, and several clergymen, banded together to launch a move for better movies in \Vi( hita. KFH editorials are selected by a four-man policy board thai meets weekly to discuss the editorials to be prepared for the week. After the subject matter is researched by various members of the news depai tment, the editorial is written usually by the news dire< tor and sometimes by a station newsman. It is then submitted to the station manager for approval and recording and is broadcast at least eight times in various parts of the broadcast schedule. The editorial is not broadcast within newscasts (except during the 30-minute evening show Newsarama) , but is usually placed in close proximity to the news shows. LISTENERS GET CHANCE WPBC Minneapolis has for several years included daily commentaries and editorials in its schedule. Some of these are part of newscasts, while others are entirely separate. As part of its overall editorial policy, WPBC allows its listeners a chance to express their opinions on "hot" issues via telephone. These are broadcast unedited. WOOD Grand Rapids has been editorializing with regularity and has been able to record direct results from its efforts. In one case, the station disclosed that candidates in city elections were spending more on campaigns than allowed by law, that some candidates received and spent anonymous donations contrary to law, that some expense accounts were inaccurate and that most candidates didn't file expense accounts before the deadline prescribed by law. This past year a county prosecutor advised each candidate of the law and that violations would be investigated. Despite this, WOOD informed its listeners that almost 50 percent — 37 out of 79 candidates in the primary election — had not filed expense accounts by deadline. Although the station complimented the prosecutor for his efforts, it still urged action in finding out why those candidates ignored the law. WOOD reports that the day after the editorial the prosecutor demanded that the missing expense accounts be filed immediately. Within three days, all candidates reportedly complied. Although many stations seem to be leaning in the direction of editorializing with some regularity once they get the "feel" of it, there are also many others who believe a radio editorial should be saved for a special issue. Robert Nickles, general manager of KFAL Fulton, Mo., declares, "We do not at present editorialize on a regular basis. This we feel is desirable, since to produce an editorial every day requires a great deal of preparation for whicb we do not have the time, space, personnel funds at present. I do not think tbat just because the FCC has decided to turn on the DOCUMENTARY ON pornography is 13-part series prepared by KDKA Pittsburgh. Here Bill Stelnbach, KDKA, interviews Rep. Kathryn Granahan (Pa.), sponsor of legislation to fight pornography. Series is a quarter-hour long. faucet, that out of all broadcasting there should flow a tremendous editorial stream. "It is not that simple. I believe that the FCC has demonstrated that it does not really intend untrammeled editorializing so common to newspapers and which people are conditioned to and expect if you are to editorialize on a day-to-day basis. So far, such editorializing as has been done on KFAL has been only as the occasion demands, a well-articulated expression of what is a public need," he continues. "We have, in the past, supported a new county hospital (carried); new school buildings (carried after two defeats); a new recreational area (carried) ; improved city streets and lighting (carried) ; a strong local safety council (carried) , and many other similar projects." As observed, it has been the experience of most stations editorializing that results can be seen and measured. WAJR Morgantown, W. Va., reports of editorial success in a fund-raising drive. The station adopted a strong editorial stand in favor of the United Fund. The county had never previously reached its goal. But the 1961 goal has been reached 130 percent. The station reports that the "United Fund committee stated part of the credit must be given to radio for the part it played in conjunction w ith other media in helping this year's goal to be reached and surpassed." • • • U. S. RADIO • February 1961 27