Thanks Darrell and hope to see you in July!
Best wishes,
Jamie
Dr Jamie Medhurst
Cyfarwyddwr Dysgu ac Addysgu / Director of Learning and Teaching
Adran Astudiaethau Theatr, Ffilm a Theledu / Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies
Prifysgol Aberystwyth / Aberystwyth University
Adeilad Parry-Williams / Parry-Williams Building
Campws Penglais / Penglais Campus
Aberystwyth
SY23 3AJ
T: (01970) 622152 / F: (01970) 622831 / E: [log in to unmask]
________________________________________
From: The History of the BBC [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Darrell Newton [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 24 February 2010 11:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [BBC-HISTORY] 1930s Symposium July 2010 final CFP
Dear Hugh and Jamie,
Greetings to you both - I wanted you to know that I planned to submit a
proposal for your conference, but submitted one to Michele's instead.
Since my work on the BBC and broadcast policies begins in the late 40s,
it seemed more apropos.
Just FYI, here's what I submitted:
Quantifying race: NBC, BBC and Race Relations in the Early 1950s
Hilmes, Miller and others have discussed the relationship between
commercial interests of America’s Network and staunch public service
doctrines of the BBC. As issues related to race relations shaped
programming efforts in the US and UK during 1952, subsequent audience
responses also helped to define separate cultural histories, as
reflected on television screens.
Following criticism from black audiences on representations, NBC amassed
data for a report to organizations concerned with negative stereotypes,
and limited opportunities. These actions were in partial response to
the Coordinating Council of Negro Performers, yet only seemed to
represent a limited commitment toward racial fairness as evidenced by
the failure of the Nat King Cole Show. Meanwhile the BBC, tempered by
Reithian notions of educational onus, redirected programming policies in
an effort to understanding the impact of race upon its audiences,
particularly after the unexpected arrival of the Empire Windrush to
London and its 492 West Indian immigrants.
Continuous audience research for television had already helped to
establish viewing panels, which answered predetermined questions about
program preferences, and subsequently addressed shows about racial
issues. As producer Grace Wydham Goldie made the transition to
television from Sound, she and popular host Christopher Mayhew helped to
develop Scientists look at Race (BBC, 1952) which drew from the
popularity of Mayhew’s International Commentary (BBC 1951-55), but to
mixed reviews from white Britons.
How did audience reactions to these shows shape subsequent policy? How
do these efforts compare to those of NBC following the report on race to
the Television Authority? While NBC and the BBC each drew upon reports
that quantified the appearances of blacks, what value do these have in
regard to racial fairness?
This paper examines documents from the WCFTR, Bournemouth University,
and the BBC Written Archives Centre as they acknowledge two distinct
responses to audience concerns.
I'm waiting to hear if the paper was accepted. If it is, I surely hope
to see you both in Madison.
Darrell M. Newton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Mass Media and Cultural Studies
The Department of Communication Arts
Salisbury University
269 Fulton Hall
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 677-5060 Office
(410) 543-6229 Department
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