The 'radio service': religion and ABC national radio

This article discusses religious broadcasting in Australia on Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Radio during the 1940s and 1950s. ABC policy in this period was strictly ecumenical, at a time when Protestant/Catholic sectarian bitterness was a significant social issue in Australia. The article considers the ABC’s motivation for this ecumenical policy, as well as the broadcasting strategies employed in pursuit of this approach. ABC religious broadcasting is considered as part of the ABC’s contribution to a national conversation on religion, tolerance and national culture.