The article reflects on the one-month experimental radio broadcast of the House of Commons proceedings that began on June 9, 1975. It details the significant challenges faced by commentators Ed Boyle and David Holmes, including extreme heat, technical difficulties with a Japanese-only microphone, and the need to concisely explain complex political discussions. Despite these hurdles, the broadcast was deemed successful and entertaining, paving the way for permanent parliamentary broadcasts.
The radio debut of the House of Commons: ‘there could be a long-running series here’ – archive, 1975
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The article reflects on the one-month experimental radio broadcast of the House of Commons proceedings that began on June 9, 1975. It details the significant challenges faced by commentators Ed Boyle and David Holmes, including extreme heat, technical difficulties with a Japanese-only microphone, and the need to concisely explain complex political discussions. Despite these hurdles, the broadcast was deemed successful and entertaining, paving the way for permanent parliamentary broadcasts.
- 1 June 9, 1975: One-month experiment in broadcasting parliament began.
- 2 April 3, 1978: Permanent radio broadcasts from House of Commons began.
- 3 April 4, 1978: Permanent radio broadcasts from House of Lords began.
- 4 November 21, 1989: Television broadcasts of Parliament began.
- The successful experiment led to permanent radio broadcasts of Parliament, increasing public accessibility.
- Established a new format for political commentary and reporting.
- Demonstrated the ability to broadcast parliamentary debates without disrupting their tempo or nature.
What: A one-month experimental radio broadcast of the House of Commons proceedings.
When: Began on June 9, 1975; permanent radio broadcasts from the House of Commons began on April 3, 1978; permanent radio broadcasts from the House of Lords began on April 4, 1978; television broadcasts began on November 21, 1989.
Where: House of Commons, Westminster, London, UK.
Why: To test the feasibility and public reception of broadcasting parliamentary proceedings, aiming to make the work of the House of Commons more accessible and understandable to the public.
How: Commentators Ed Boyle (commercial radio) and David Holmes (BBC) provided live commentary from a small, hot glass box, identifying MPs, explaining complex issues, and trimming remarks to fit tight timeframes, despite technical and environmental challenges.