CARL MCINTIRE: THE EARLY RADIO YEARS (1932 TO 1955) (RELIGION, CLERGY, FUNDAMENTALISM

This study described Carl McIntire's use of radio and his relationships and problems with local stations, networks, and government agencies during the years 1932-1955. This was accomplished through the examination of primary sources including those in McIntire's radio files in Collingswood, New Jersey.;McIntire started broadcasting his Sunday evening religous services from his church in Collingswood, N.J., in 1935, over WPEN, Philadelphia. He would continue until 1945. McIntire's Sunday morning religious services were broadcast over WCAM, Camden, N.J., starting in 1938 and continuing until 1949. He was removed from both stations when the selling of radio time for religion was discontinued. His removal resulted in complaints to the FCC and in court action. McIntire attempted, starting in 1942, to obtain free religious time on the networks NBC Blue, NBC Red, CBS, and Mutual, for the American Council of Churches. His actions were met with conflicts and limited success.;Conclusions. (1) McIntire has been using radio for over 50 years and his place in the history of religious radio has been overlooked. (2) McIntire's concept of freedom of speech for radio, limited only by existing libel laws and which would lead him to conflicts with the FCC and the courts, in regard to the Fairness Doctrine in the 1960's and 1970's, had its beginnings in the 1930's on WPEN, Philadelphia. (3) McIntire had been a controversial figure on radio and used his sermons on radio as an advocacy to present his views on local and national issues before the start of "The Twentieth Century Reformation Hour" in 1955. (4) The idea of McIntire purchasing radio time aside from his regular Sunday services, which would have its culmination in 1955 with the start of "The Twentieth Century Reformation Hour," had its roots in the 1940's in local political and religious battles.