Writing for the Public

The other day, a special correspondent of The Times repeated what he said was a familiar and general criticism of the Third Programme: “The Third (as a recent talk on Professor R. H. Tawney reminded us) must stop mistaking an Oxford accent for broadcast brilliance … In this greatly reduced but highly important programme there is less room than ever for the lacklustre broadcast, no matter who delivers it.” In other words, broadcasting, like writing, is an art; and it must be addressed to listeners, as books are addressed to readers, who are known as the Public. If talk or book condescends, it will alienate those who come eagerly to it; if it is dry, nobody will attend; and if it is too agreeable the more priggish critics will suspect the talker or writer of a hideous sin.