Morris S. Novik

Morris S. Novik (born Novikov; November 15, 1903 – November 10, 1996) was a Russian-born Jewish American early pioneer in radio who is credited with coining the phrase "public broadcasting". He was one of the first people to understand the potential that radio had for public service and education, especially with regard to the emerging labor movement throughout the U.S. in the early part of the 20th century.

Biography Morris S. Novikov was born to a Jewish family in Nevel, then a part of the Pale of Settlement in the Russian Empire, on November 15, 1903. They immigrated to New York City's Lower East Side in 1913, and, as a teenager, became active in socialist politics. In 1918, he worked for anti-war activist Scott Nearing, who was opposing the Republican Fiorello La Guardia for Congress. In a 1989 interview with The New Yorker, Novik said that this was when he first saw the future mayor, for whom he would work 20 years later as station manager of WNYC.

During the 1920s Novik chaired the local chapter of the Young People's Socialist League, and worked to bring socialist education to public schools. He also worked for The Daily Record, a labor oriented newspaper focused on the clothing industry. and later the American Labor Party.

In 1938 Mayor Fiorello La Guardia recruited Novik to head up WNYC, the municipal broadcasting station in New York City. located in the center of Harlem in New York, and developed programming geared especially to the black population in the city. He kept the station until 1955, when he sold it to his brother, Harry Novik,

In 1956 together with his wife, he survived the sinking of the Italian Liner Andrea Doria. One of the last passengers to leave the sinking ship, he assisted the crew in the evacuation efforts, and was later honored by the Italian government.

In the 1960s and for the rest of his career, Novik advocated for more public service broadcasting by radio stations. Testifying frequently before Congress, and in many speeches and articles, he urged lawmakers and the FCC to adhere to the standards set by the Communications Act of 1934, setting forth the public service function of radio, and lamented the brief coverage that most radio and TV stations were providing on the vital issues of the day.

Novik died in New York City on November 10, 1996.