The announcement that the Post Office is to inaugurate the
distribution of broadcasting programmes over the tele- phone is of special interest in existing circumstances. The decision carries out the recommendation of the Ulls- water Commission, though the relay companies will also continue their present services. Transmission by wire is far less liable to interruption or interference than wireless trans- mission, and is therefore much more dependable in case of an emergency. Secondly, transmission by wire, which will give a limited number of controlled programmes, can if necessary and advisable, be used as a substitute for wireless, which gives the listener the chance of receiving news and propaganda not susceptible to censorship. There is no reason to believe that this is the Government's intention ; but it seems certain that the dictatorship countries would not allow reception of foreign propaganda in war time ; the German Government's first action after occupying Prague was to confiscate all wireless sets. But there is little reason to believe the British public would be impressed by foreign propaganda either in war or peace. It is far too completely discredited.
Previous page
