RADIO
News Bulletins IN the first days of the war the radio bulletins became a focal point in millions of homes. The essential difference between the function of the radio and the Press was demon- strated sharply, as never before. The radio can disseminate as no other instrument can ; with the Press lies the role of recapitulation, amplification, interpretation and comment—all such after-thinking as follows the first eager grasping of information. If there were only the radio, the news would be vox et praeterea nihil. But the Press allows the reader to read in his own way, at his own time, to contemplate and consider. For this reason the good journalist, who realises that the techniques of dissemination may vary, accepts the challenge of the radio and understands that its success accentuates the best side of his work, not the mere tele-printer aspect of it.
So far the bulletins have been vigorously and well delivered with few exceptions—impersonally and without melodrama. Certain announcers, speaking without modulation or inflexion, achieve a mechanical fixated tone, but this defect is preferable to any contrary defect. They tell us breezily of monstrous events, and this is better than breathy, over-impressed voices. It was well that the long weather forecast was dropped. At first it was as if, in answer to our question, "How's the war? " we were told, "They'll have a fine day for it." There is still an insufficient demarcation between new facts and facts that have been previously given. In recent days a characteristic bulletin began with news from the German High Command, then came news from neutral journalists, and towards the close a statement from the Ministry of Informa- tion, which has not yet, evidently, understood the special case of news over the radio.
It should be remembered that radio represents one of the great adventures of our age. Its historical raison d'être is to serve the new conception of an inter-related globe. That is a peace task. It stands for consciousness. In time of war, if it fails to maintain its role of supporting popular conscious- ness, the failure is highly serious. It turns into its opposite and becomes a vicious intoxicating drug. "But," it may be objected, "people can't bear to be conscious." In reply, words of a writer, A. C. Ward, several years ago, seem apposite : "I confess I do not understand this curious modern sup- position that the majority of mankind is half-witted and chicken-hearted ; that it must not be told discomforting truths, and could not bear them if it were. What has become of the old proud claim that Englishmen fight best with their backs to the wall? Why must we nowadays be fed upon the pap of synthetic predigested optimism? . . . Considerate grandmotherly endeavours to hide the truth from us lest the truth should make our teeth chatter with fright are threatening to make us one of the most panic-stricken nations on earth, instead of, as formerly, one of the most tenacious and resolute." At an inter-nation broadcasting conference a few years ago someone coined the phrase "fostering active sanity" as the special attitude to adopt. It is more important than inflaming or drugging a nation and makes in the long run for resilience.
Whereas Press news is imbibed singly, radio news is usually imbibed in groups. You can walk down a street and hear the same voice busy in every house. Thus radio news is community news: it is a united gesture of a society listening at the same time. We have a sense of undergoing the same situation together. The difference between news and com- munity news should be borne in mind. Community news ought to be bold and quick in presentation, and realistic, hence counting on the courage of the listeners. The tone is vital and will evoke its fitting response. Nursery-tale ex- planations will train us to react childishly and to imagine that the war is being conducted by our grandmothers. A hectoring attitude will make us sullen, and so on. But an obvious desire to share knowledge—even if delayed or rationed to suit current strategy—will encourage an adult reaction. If the words Home Front mean anything, they mean a people who are prepared to know about the war and to be strong through knowledge and not through blindness. Even Goering sees the point of boasting (with what correctness!) that the German people is being told the truth. If the proper role of radio is maintained, this may be the first lucid war in history.
GEORGE BUCHANAN.
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