Occassionally we hear reverberations of the controversy that has been raging over religious radio programs, especially the paid ones. Several of the major networks avoid the difficulties that arise from carrying sponsored religious programs by refusing to consider their acceptance on any basis. Instead, they donate a certain amount of time to the service of religion, which is divided between the Catholics, the Jews, and the Protestants.
The time allowed to the Protestants is often placed under the supervision of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America. Such a policy eliminates some of the problems from the standpoint of the networks, but it does not provide a complete radio service for the prevailing religious currents in America, for it leaves without a voice on the air the evangelistic branches of Protestant Christianity. The only recourse of individuals or churches with an evangelistic message has- been to purchase radio time wherever it could be secured.
The Mutual network has made its facilities available for a number of such programs in the past. Criticism has been registered over the policy of the Mutual System in this respect, but largely because of the tendency of the broadcasters to endeavor to pay for the time by soliciting funds over the air. The newspapers and the religious press have occasionally carried comments on the situation, as did the Moody Monthly in the current April number, in which this paper said editorially:
"There is one requirement which should be laid down by radio stations which sell time for religious broadcasting. Every such program should declare its identification. For instance there is a program called 'Heralds of Bible Prophecy,' and another, 'The Voice of Prophecy.' Both of these belong to the Seventh-day Adventists and should be required to say so.
"Another requirement should be that every religious broadcaster have a nonprofit corporation back of him, with a bona fide board and an annual C. P. A. audit. Orthodoxy has been too slow in getting rid of radio racketeers. We hope radio stations will continue to sell time to 'religion,' but we hope Christians will be selective in their support."
The editor of Moody Monthly has raised an interesting question when he insists that every program should declare its identification. There are those in our own group who feel that this would be advisable for the Voice of Prophecy. But a year ago we wrote to the conference and union presidents asking their counsel on this matter, and seventy-five per cent of those who responded advised that the program continue under its present title, without denominational identification. Several of the prominent network broadcasters have been careful not to reveal their denominational affiliation, doubtless because they have felt that it would be better to leave the way open to minister to people of all faiths, rather than risk confining the broadcast to one sect. The question of identification has been under consideration by the Mutual System, and it has been suggested that the system might at some time make it a requirement for all programs.
A number of months ago reports appeared in the press to the effect that the Mutual System would, in the near future, follow the other networks in adopting a policy which would eliminate the sale of time for religious broadcasting. This report, which came from authentic sources, caused a great deal of concern to our Radio Commission, which is responsible for the fostering of the Voice of Prophecy, and led to several interviews with leading officials of the Mutual Broadcasting System in New York.
Favorable Consideration by Mutual
At the first of these interviews the president of the system, who received us very courteously, confirmed the reports that the broadcasting policy of the Mutual System was being reconsidered, and stated that preliminary steps had been taken to change the existing policy. A few days after this conference, the Mutual System held an important meeting of its board of directors in New York, at which the whole subject of religious broadcasting was thoroughly investigated. We were later told that the board studied this question with great earnestness in an endeavor to discharge their obligation as custodians of a public service which has much to do with the spiritual and inspirational life of the nation.
We were overjoyed to receive information at the close of the meeting that it had been definitely settled that the Voice of Prophecy would be allowed to continue on the Mutual network. We were told that Mutual had adopted a new policy relating to religious programs, but one which they felt would not be onerous to our Radio Commission, and would permit us to continue with our broadcast. These regulations as announced by Mr. Edward W. Wood, the general sales manager, appeared in condensed form recently in the Broadcasting magazine as follows:
"New policy, which goes into effect September /5, 1944, will eliminate all commercial religious programs from the afternoon and evening periods on Sunday, and will limit air time to a half hour.
"Most drastic measure is that prohibiting appeals for money, raising the question as to whether some of the religious institutions can and will continue on the air without the opportunity of obtaining revenue from radio listeners."
Under the provisions of this policy the network will be closed to commercial religious programs after I P. M. Sponsors of programs which conform to the newly adopted policy are being invited to co-operate and consult with the Mutual System officials from time to time on the best means of bringing to the people of America the spiritual help offered in these programs.
Naturally any reference to money will have to be made very carefully. Many of the appeals made by religious broadcasters in the past have been blatant and unrestrained, and it is largely this type of appeal which has brought criticism upon religious broadcasting. We have been counseled to bring our references to finance into conformity with what would be heard in a high-class church ; and our brethren have always tried to do this. The officials of the Mutual System understand that the Voice of Prophecy is not a profitable enterprise and that this denomination is appropriating fairly large sums to make it possible to broadcast, as well as to provide the many follow-up services which are offered by our office in Glendale. Our readers may be interested to know that out of a budget of over half a million dollars the denomination is providing almost one third of the total expense. It is our purpose to endeavor to co-operate tit, the fullest extent with the Mutual System in their plan to uphold the very highest standard of religious broadcasting.
When it is properly organized and conducted, there is no reason why the paid religious program should not have its place in the broadcasting scheme. Certainly the medium of radio, which accepts the form of entertainment known as "soap opera," and which has done so much to commercialize child interest through the highly mysterious adventure stories of the late afternoon, should not cringe to accept the radio program which, supported by the church's or listener's dollar, comes to the public to bring a message of uplift and faith in these troubled times.
The future for the Voice of Prophecy is very bright. It seems providential now that the program was shifted a few months ago from the evening to the morning, though at the time we could not understand why it should be so. Interest has been maintained and even increased, as shown by the mail and financial receipts. It would seem that our greatest opportunities for expansion and the accomplishing of our appointed task are just before us.
