The 'radio service': Religion and ABC national radio. (1st October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Potts, John
• Is Part Of: Radio journal. Volume 16:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2018-10-01
• Subjects: Radio -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Radio audiences -- Periodicals; Radio stations -- Sociological aspects -- Periodicals; Sound recordings -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 384.54
• DOI: 10.1386/rjao.16.2.159_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-4504

Abstract

This article discusses religious broadcasting in Australia on Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Radio during the 1940s and 1950s. ABC policy in this period was strictly ecumenical, at a time when Protestant/Catholic sectarian bitterness was a significant social issue in Australia. The article considers the ABC's motivation for this ecumenical policy, as well as the broadcasting strategies employed in pursuit of this approach. ABC religious broadcasting is considered as part of the ABC's contribution to a national conversation on religion, tolerance and national culture.