roundtable: RE: OP-ED ON TV - PUBLIC

roundtable: RE: OP-ED ON TV / PUBLIC

RE: OP-ED ON TV / PUBLIC

Terry Dugas 813-598-9737 (DUGAST@mail.firn.edu)
Sun, 1 Jan 1995 23:18:23 EST 

Date: Sun, 1 Jan 1995 23:18:23 EST
From: Terry Dugas 813-598-9737 <DUGAST@mail.firn.edu>
Subject: RE: OP-ED ON TV / PUBLIC
In-Reply-To: <01HLB1C2A0GI937LRH@delphi.com>
To: "roundtable@cni.org" <roundtable@cni.org>
Message-Id: <E1629ZVOHXSKAZ*/R=FIRNVX/R=A1/U=DUGAST/@MHS>

*****
> One thing is certain; Jim Lehrer has a vested interest in denying any
> editorial influence by underwriters.  Corporate media must maintain a
> veil of objectivity in order to effectively propagandize viewers.  The
> fact is that TCI or any other corporation would not financially support
> programs which effectively criticized their conduct.  While supposedly
> neutral, journalistic "objectivity" is itself an ideological position
> used to dismiss any notions of bias in order to protect the the
> interests of the elites who fund the media.
> 
> Greg Boozell
> CANTV@delphi.com
*****

You are correct, of course, in that every news gathering organization 
is "owned" by someone or something.  And every newscast and news 
organization should be viewed with some skepticism.  Ultimately, 
though, the user of the newscast must rely on the integrity of the 
news gathering organization and the distribution group (whether 
broadcast, print, or town crier.)

Having spent almost 15 years in commercial TV before moving to public 
television, I am comfortable with both the integrity of the M/L 
organization and the independence of the distributor.  I know, from 
personal experience, what financial influence over news operations 
is like.

However, I and all 300 public broadcasting programmers will monitor 
M/L for signs of "influence." Should we detect any, we will bring 
pressure to correct the situation.  If it cannot be corrected, I (and 
I'm sure my colleagues) will drop M/L. The program is of value to us 
only as long as the show has the public trust.  Should it loose that 
through bias of commission or omission, the show will loose its 
audience.

Terry Dugas
Southwest Florida Public Broadcasting
"Cultural terrorist and proud of it."

[CNI Home Page]