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The Phoney War

4 Extra Debut. Edward Stourton explores the story of the 大象传媒 in the strange period of 1939-1940 with echoes of Covid-19. From 2020.

Edward Stourton tells the story of the 大象传媒 in the 鈥漰honey war鈥 of 1939-1940 and the period鈥檚 strange echoes of Covid-19.

When war was declared in September 1939, everyone in Britain expected a catastrophic bombing campaign. Theatres and cinemas were closed and children were evacuated to the countryside.

What followed instead was a hiatus when tensions remained high but the bombs did not fall. How does the experience of the Home Front at the start of the Second World War echo the Covid-19 crisis and what did it mean for the evolution of the 大象传媒?

The corporation鈥檚 initial response became known as the "Bore War". The 大象传媒 was berated for broadcasting dreary music and endless, highly repetitive news bulletins. It then changed tack to find a more popular voice, in tune with the needs of its audience.

How did it become a trusted source of news in the face of wartime censorship? What did it do to cheer up the nation and enliven public service messages about health and education?

Contributors:

Peter Busch, Senior Lecturer, King's College, London
Martin Gorsky, Professor of the History of Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Sian Nicholas, Reader in History, Aberystwyth University
Lucy Noakes, Professor of History, University of Essex
Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History, University of Westminster

Producer: Sheila Cook
Researcher: Diane Richardson
Editor: Hugh Levinson

With thanks to 大象传媒 History /historyofthebbc/100-voices/ww2

First broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 4 in April 2020.

Available now

57 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Oct 2022 01:00

Broadcasts

  • Sat 18 Apr 2020 20:00
  • Tue 11 Oct 2022 11:00
  • Tue 11 Oct 2022 21:00
  • Sat 15 Oct 2022 13:00
  • Sun 16 Oct 2022 01:00