31 MARCH 1939, Page 6

The institution of broadcasts in English by Herr Hitler, as

a riposte to the B.B.C. broadcasts in German, provokes pertinent reflection on the value of the freedom of the Press. In Germany the British broadcasts are listened to eagerly, because, with Press and radio under official control, it is only through the B.B.C. and one or two other foreign stations that the desire for truth can be satisfied. In this country the German broadcasts are completely ignored by listeners, who have a dozen avenues of reliable information open to them. There may be a few persons of inquiring minds who listen in with the idea of hearing what German propagandists are trying to put across. But no one, it is safe to say, listens as Germans listen to the B.B.C.