The Politics of Canadian Broadcasting, 1920-1951

Still the focus of major political controversy today, the essential issues in Canadian broadcasting emerged thirty years ago. This fascinating book traces both the development of radio from its beginnings in 1920 to the inception of television in 1952, and the formation of public policy throughout these years. The course of the development was far from smooth. Professor Peers describes the contending forces, the politicians, pressure groups, newspapers, and business interests that joined in the fray. The inner story of the power struggles involved is told here thoroughly for the first time, and the significance of these struggles for the development of the system is placed in perspective. Annotation Still the focus of major political controversy today, the essential issues in Canadian broadcasting emerged thirty years ago. This fascinating book traces both the development of radio from its beginnings in 1920 to the inception of television in 1952, and the formation of public policy throughout these years. The course of the development was far from smooth. Professor Peers describes the contending forces, the politicians, pressure groups, newspapers, and business interests that joined in the fray. The inner story of the power struggles involved is told here thoroughly for the first time, and the significance of these struggles for the development of the system is placed in perspective PREFACE 5 CONTENTS 7 I. The Canadian Experiment 9 II. The First Decade 23 III. The Aird Commission 45 IV. Nationalization 71 V: The Canadian Radio-Broadcasting Commission: First Year 116 VI. A Discredit to the Government? 145 VII: A New Government and a New Act 172 VIII: The Corporation and Mr. Howe 200 IX: The Testing Period, 1938-1939 230 X: Controversial Broadcasting 262 XI: A Proven System? 289 XII: Cracks in the Organization 304 XIII: The CBC as a Wartime Arm of Government 331 XIV: Private Broadcasting, 1939-1945 354 XV: The Post-War Struggle 374 XVI: The Massey Commission 402 XVII: Interpretations 448 INDEX 459