Free Radio Forum: Re: Alternative facts

They were clearly rattled, they knew the electoral effects of closing the pirates, to Benn's credit he did realise the importance of an alternative, but of course his plans were thwarted.

Here are two entries from his 1963-67 diaries

December 1964

"To the Office by 10.30. I summoned Mr. Lillicrap, the director of Radio Services, and told him to get cracking on a number of alternative schemes for providing a nationwide pop music service financed by advertising which would be a revenue raiser for the Post Office and help to meet the BBC deficit. This could be achieved by splitting the BBC Light Programme VHF transmitters off. There would be a terrible squeal from some people but since pop music and advertisers both seek mass audiences there would be no conflict of interest and the Post Office would pocket the cash."

December 1965

"After lunch at home I heard Radio 390 which was broadcasting a recorded appeal by the managing director for people to write to me in a protest against my decision to prosecute the pirates. The telephone rang shortly afterwards and it was Harold Wilson who had been listening to the same programme and he was extremely worried. I told him we were making progress on the broadcasting White Paper with its proposals for advertising on the Light Programme and the establishment of municipally owned local radio stations which might even help to make a profit to reduce rates. He was clearly relieved. He indicated that I shouldn't prosecute at this stage."

Previous Message

In 2017 Kellyanne Conway coined the phrase “alternative facts”.

But, in discussing government action during the 1960s offshore pirate era, there are two key actual facts of vital importance.

1: Despite the Territorial Waters Order in Council 1964, [now replaced by Territorial Sea (Baselines) Order 2014], which also confirmed wireless telegraphy legislative powers to the sea forts from September 1964, this was not tested in law by taking action against the fort radio stations until after the Radio City incident, which started on 20 June 1966. The first GPO summonses were in September 1966, after 2 years of inaction.

2: At the time of the Queen’s speech on 21 April 1966, there were 9 offshore radio stations broadcasting (including on/off Tower) with two known to be on the way (Britain Radio and SRE), soon bringing the total to 11, but there was still no announcement of legislation.

Now this is my take: This does not suggest the government, or a postmaster general (who has a job to regulate wireless telegraphy), on being hell-bent in closing the pirates as soon as possible until the Radio City incident, rather one with amazing tolerance. However, I accept that many do not see it this way.