Today’s Objective To understand how war gave radio journalism a new place in British life and British hearts.

The BBC The BBC is small. It has 4000 staff. It is pompous, not trusted as much as newspapers. It has only a modest reputation abroad. It is routinely late with the news The BBC is small. It has 4000 staff. It is pompous, not trusted as much as newspapers. It has only a modest reputation abroad. It is routinely late with the news. By the beginning of 1940 the BBC has 6000 staff. By November 1940 it has 11,000. By the beginning of 1940 the BBC has 6000 staff. By November 1940 it has 11, The BBC is large, popular, trusted more than newspapers and it has a hugely enhanced international reputation The BBC is large, popular, trusted more than newspapers and it has a hugely enhanced international reputation.

Broadcasting in Bore War 1 A month after the outbreak of war a British Institute of Public Opinion poll showed that 35 per cent of the public were dissatisfied with the BBC and 10 per cent did not listen to it. In the winter of 1939 to 1940 Mass Observation reported that the rumours were rife; the people apparently did not believe the newspapers, the Ministry of Information, or the BBC. They trusted only their friends.

Broadcasting in Bore War 2 “No emergency could justify such programming poverty”“No emergency could justify such programming poverty” Press criticism sited in Official History of the BBC “I am not a habitual listener but I must say that at times I feel depressed when I listen in. You should not be depressed by listening in”“I am not a habitual listener but I must say that at times I feel depressed when I listen in. You should not be depressed by listening in” Clement Attlee, House of Commons, 1939

The Opposition

Lord Haw Haw “There was an arresting quality about his voice which made it a sacrifice not to go on listening.” By the end of % of the British population were listening to Haw Haw regularly

The BBC Changes 1 ITMA It’s That Man Again

The BBC Changes 2 The Brain’s Trust Questions included: Why should we learn algebra? Why can flies land on ceilings? Original members: Julian Huxley – scientist Commander Campbell – Retired soldier Cyril Joad - Philosopher

News – The Biggest Change 1939 – BBC confronts the issue of whether it should always tell the truth – or is its duty to assist the war effort by broadcasting propaganda? 1939 – BBC confronts the issue of whether it should always tell the truth – or is its duty to assist the war effort by broadcasting propaganda? It concludes that truth is the solution. The public would know about bombs falling, ships sinking and armies retreating even if they were not officially told. It concludes that truth is the solution. The public would know about bombs falling, ships sinking and armies retreating even if they were not officially told.

Winning Trust 1939 the BBC is not instinctively trusted. Many listeners, particularly among the intelligentsia remember its role during the General Strike of the BBC is not instinctively trusted. Many listeners, particularly among the intelligentsia remember its role during the General Strike of BBC News is often old. It contains nothing that is not available in newspapers. It is delivered in artificial upper class accents. BBC News is often old. It contains nothing that is not available in newspapers. It is delivered in artificial upper class accents.

Topicality “The Second World War made topicality the dominant news value. German scoops had shocked the public and done much to discredit the Corporation at the start of the war. Topicality then became the key weapon in the BBC’s defence against the expansionist censorship of the Service Ministries. The Ministry of Information recognized the importance of getting news on the air as quickly as possible. A memorandum ordered ‘Action to strengthen confidence in BBC news. Confirmed items to be included in earliest available bulletins, even at the expense of friction with the Press.” Curran and Seaton, Power Without Responsibility

Relaxed Style Presenters are no longer anonymous. They are named partly to create a less formal style and partly to avoid German sabotage. Presenters are no longer anonymous. They are named partly to create a less formal style and partly to avoid German sabotage. Regional accents are introduced. Regional accents are introduced. Writing style is modernised to ensure clarity, simplicity and precision. Writing style is modernised to ensure clarity, simplicity and precision.

The BBC’s Power Abroad General de Gaulle at the microphone in Broadcasting House in Broadcasting House

L’appel du 18 juin

BBC Services To Occupied Europe “It was self evidently not worth risking your life to listen to a news programme if it would not at least guarantee you the truth.” BBC Spokesman “It was self evidently not worth risking your life to listen to a news programme if it would not at least guarantee you the truth.” BBC Spokesman “In a world of poison the BBC became the great antiseptic.” French Socialist Leon Blum who listened to the BBC in a concentration camp. “In a world of poison the BBC became the great antiseptic.” French Socialist Leon Blum who listened to the BBC in a concentration camp.

“If they can admit a catastrophe so openly, they must be terribly strong.” British prisoner of war in Japanese prison camp