Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi began experimenting with wireless communications in the late 1890s. His invention – the radio – revolutionized the world. A product of this revolution was the rise of commercial radio stations. They transmitted news, music and entertainment. One of the first was the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), founded by Marconi himself and a group of wireless manufacturers. The BBC began transmitting on 14 November 1922. Its programming included news bulletins, music, drama and sports reporting. Within a few years, the BBC had become very popular. Its public value was recognized when in 1926 it was transformed from a private company into a public service corporation (its name became the British Broadcasting Corporation). This was formalized by the British government and signed by the king, George V. The BBC became the world’s first national radio broadcaster and, a few years later, the first national television broadcaster.
“Reithianism”: to inform…
The first director of the BBC was Scottish engineer John Reith. He was only 33 years old when he applied for the position in 1922. He later admitted: “I hadn’t the remotest idea as to what broadcasting was.” Radio was in its infancy, and there were no traditions or examples he could follow. So, Reith began to shape the BBC according to his personal vision. He decided the BBC had to inform, educate and entertain. Regarding information, Reith wanted news reporting to be balanced, neutral and free from political interference. This approach was challenged in 1926 when a national General Strike broke out. Some members of the British government, including Chancellor Winston Churchill, wanted to use the BBC as a political tool against the strikers. Reith refused to comply and successfully defended the BBC’s independence. In 1938, Reith resigned from his position, but by then his ideas, which came to be known as ‘Reithianism’, were established traditions at the BBC.
…to educate…
The mission to ‘educate’ has earned the BBC the affectionate as well as ironic nickname of ‘Auntie’ (meaning a caring, helpful but somewhat pedantic relative.) Although some programmes might be considered too didactic or moralizing by today’s standards, at the time they were hugely popular. One of these was Children’s Hour, which began in 1922. Its mission was ‘the building of character’ of its young audience. It did so with a mixture of content, such as music, talks, quizzes and serial plays. Some of BBC’s most important educational programmes, for audiences of all ages, were not produced for radio, but for another medium: television (the BBC began transmitting as early as 1936). A special mention goes to the remarkable nature documentaries presented by Sir David Attenborough, such as Natural World and Planet Earth. Their contribution to the popularization of science around the world has been enormous, so much so that grateful scientists have named more than 50 plants and animals after Attenborough (like the dinosaur Attenborosaurus).
…and to entertain
The BBC has been influential also in its dedication to ‘entertainment’. Some of its television formats, such as Strictly Come Dancing (known abroad as Dancing with the Stars) and Masterchef, are global hits. The BBC has also produced some legendary comedy shows, such as Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers and The Office. It also fathered the longest running science fiction series in the world, Dr Who; almost 900 episodes have been televised since 1963. All these diverse and successful programmes have made the BBC into the world’s largest national broadcaster, with a staff of 22,000 employees. The BBC has hundreds of millions of viewers around the world, it provides online news in more than 40 languages, and it sells its formats and series everywhere. It’s original mission to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ lives on.
1) Check out the BBC’s official website celebrating its 100th anniversary:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/100
2) Learn more about John Reith:
https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/research/directors-general/john-reith
https://canvas-story.bbcrewind.co.uk/lordreith/
3) What’s the BBC’s mission today? Find out here:
https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/governance/mission
4) Watch this video on the birth of BBC television:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMYqAHO_Vco
5) Would you like to know more about David Attenborough? Watch this interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li5Xi9mIvDg
1) Read the article and complete the sentences with the correct alternative.
1. Marconi and a group of wireless manufacturers
a. invented the British Broadcasting Company.
b. founded the British Broadcasting Company.
c. founded the British Broadcasting Corporation.
2. The early BBC transmitted
a. news reports.
b. music and entertainment.
c. a diverse set of programmes.
3. John Reith became the BBC’s first director when he was
a. in his early thirties.
b. in his late thirties.
c. in 1926.
4. John Reith decided that the BBC had to
a. copy the programming of other radio stations.
b. offer a public service, and not just entertainment.
c. be of service to the government.
5. During the General Strike, John Reith
a. opposed Winston Churchill’s ideas.
b. opposed the strikers.
c. sided with the strikers.
6. Put simply, ‘Reithianism’ can be summarized as the mission to
a. inform, educate and entertain.
b. offer simple, public entertainment.
c. support the government’s point of view.
7. Some of BBC’s educational programmes can be criticised for being
a. hugely popular.
b. didactic and moralizing.
c. ironic.
8. David Attenborough presented some of BBC’s most successful
a. radio programmes.
b. television shows.
c. documentaries.
9. The Office is one of BBC’s most successful and famous
a. formats.
b. science fiction series.
c. comedy shows.
10. Today the BBC
a. is the world’s most important news outlet.
b. is still faithful to its original mission.
c. has specialized in entertainment.
VOCABULARY
2) Complete the sentences with the following words. Put the verbs and nouns in the right form, if necessary.
manufacturer * value * engineer * to apply * according to * to comply * to earn * somewhat * remarkable * staff
1. I think radio was the most …………………………………………... invention of the early 20th century – it totally revolutionized communications.
2. The BBC’s archives have great historical …………………………………………… .
3. …………………………………………... film critics this film is rubbish, but I really love it!
4. I think you need a mathematical mind to become an ………………………………………….…
5. The company produces computers. It’s a high-tech ………………………………………….…
6. This is a small company; it has a …………………………………………... of five employees.
7. …………………………………………... her respect, you need to be honest and reliable.
8. The doctor ordered him to stop smoking and he ………………………………………….…
9. I received a B- on my essay. I’m …………………………………………... satisfied, but I was hoping for an A!
10. Why don’t you …………………………………………... for this job? You only need to send your CV.
GRAMMAR – Phrasal verbs
3) Substitute the words in bold with the following phrasal verbs with similar meanings.
to look up to * to carry out * to break out * to pass away * to call off * to get along * to back down * to figure out * to fight back * to boil down to * to set up
1. Marconi and some wireless manufacturers established …………………………………………... the BBC.
2. John Reith had to discover and understand …………………………………………... what broadcasting was.
3. The General Strike began …………………………………………... on 4 May 1926.
4. The General Strike was cancelled …………………………………………... on 12 May 1926.
5. Winston Churchill and John Reith did not like each other ………………………………………….…
6. When he was pressured by Churchill, Reith did not accept defeat …………………………………………..., on the contrary, he defended himself vigorously …………………………………………... .
7. Reithianism is summarized by …………………………………………... the phrase: ‘inform, educate and entertain’.
8. John Reith performed …………………………………………... his job successfully.
9. John Reith died …………………………………………... in 1971.
10. Even today, many broadcasters admire …………………………………………... John Reith and his work.
SHORT ESSAY
4) Imagine yourself at the head of a radio or TV channel (like John Reith was at the BBC). What programmes would you like to have on your channel? What would your channel’s mission be? (60-80 words)
5) What’s your favourite TV programme? Write about it and explain why you think it is special. (60-80 words)
6) “Well gentlemen, you have now invented the biggest time waster of all time. Use it well.” This was said in 1934 by Isaac Shoenberg, one of the inventors of BBC’s television technology. Do you agree with Shoenberg? And do you think television has been used well? (60-80 words)
DEBATE
7) Pair up with one of your classmates and look at the proposition below; one of you will argue in favour of it and one of you against it.
Proposition: Modern television entertains, but does not inform or educate.
(Carlo Dellonte)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
anna Zacchera
09 novembre 2022 alle 16:32
Bell'attività, grazie.
Grazia Torretta
10 novembre 2022 alle 07:56
Very interesting article and well organized activities. I will use them in class. Thank you.
Rebecca Miltoni
12 novembre 2022 alle 08:51
Perfect for my class!!! Thanks a million