Controversy Ad Lib
The B.B.C. has taken up controversy in broadcasting with the enthusiasm of the convert. The success of the two improvised broadcasts of the editors of five political weeklies has been rapidly followed by the announcement of a new series of party political broadcasts and—wonder of wonders—a removal of the ban on reli- gious controversy. It appears that the change affects every branch and service of broadcasting activity. At such a time as this a word of caution may possibly be unpopular, but it is nevertheless advisable. There are many sorts of controversy, and the sort which is most obviously to be encouraged is that which aims at the truth by means of a free exchange of carefully thought out and honestly held opinions. The demagogic type of controversy, which is not primarily concerned with the processes of reason at all, but rather aims at the assertion and exaggeration of emotional prejudice, deserves no encouragement whatever. Neither does the artificially vamped-up controversy between professional debaters. There is ,every reason to believe that such issues as these have been thoroughly discussed inside the B.B.C. ducting the years of caution, and, that being so, there is also reason to believe that the worst mistakes will be avoided. But many innocent objects, including a multitude of good intentions, get swept away when a flood breaks loose. It is therefore possible to wish the B.B.C. every success in its new departure, but at the same time to hope that its vigilance will not be relaxed.
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