Jewish Bodies File Brief with F.c.c. in Inquiry on Anti-jewish Radio Broadcasts

The American Jewish Congress and the Jewish Community Councils of Cleveland, Detroit and Los Angeles announced this week-end the filing of a joint brief with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington upholding its jurisdiction to investigate charges that a radio station owner had ordered the slanting of news broadcasts against Jews. G. A. Richards, owner of stations WGAR, WJR and KMPC, located in Cleveland, Detroit and Los Angeles, had previously filed a motion with the Commission challenging its authority to investigate such charges.

In connection with Richards’ applications for renewal of his station licenses and for Commission approval of the transfer of his stock to trustees, the Commission had ordered a public hearing on allegations that Richards distorted news programs to stir up hatred against Jews and to advance his own political causes.

Claiming infringement of his right of free speech, Richards asked the Commission to strike from its hearing order all issues relating to his past program policies. “The free communication of ideas,” declares the brief to the Jewish organizations, “is subverted when radio is monopolized by those who seek by the slanting of news and the broadcasting of fraudulent news reports to stir up racial and religious hatreds.” The brief contends that the Federal Communications Commission has power to investigate the program policy, program service and qualifications of an applicant in order to apply the standard of public interest, convenience and necessity which must be satisfied before a radio license is issued or renewed.