○  spiro theodore agnew: television news coverage  ○

t in the offices of the government in washington but in the studios of the networks in new york! television may have destroyed the old stereotypes, but has it not created new ones in their places? what has this "passionate" pursuit of controversy done to the politics of progress through logical compromise essential to the functioning of a democratic society?

the members of congress or the senate who follow their principles and philosophy quietly in a spirit of compromise are unknown to many americans, while the loudest and most extreme dissenters on every issue are known to every man in the street. how many marches and demonstrations would we have if the marchers did not know that the ever-faithful tv cameras would be there to record their antics for the next news show?

we’ve heard demands that senators and congressmen and judges make known all their financial connections so that the public will know who and what influences their decisions and their votes. strong arguments can be made for that view. but when a single commentator or producer, night after night, determines for millions of people how much of each side of a great issue they are going to see and hear, should he not first disclose his personal views on the issue as well?

in this search for excitement and controversy, has more than equal time gone to the minority of americans who specialize in attacking the united states -- its institutions and its citizens?

tonight i’ve raised questions. i’ve made no attempt to suggest the answers. the answers must come from the media men. they are challenged to turn their critical powers on themselves, to direct their energy, their talent, and their conviction toward improving the quality and objectivity of news presentation. they are challenged to structure their own civic ethics to relate to the great responsibilities they hold.

and the people of america are challenged, too -- challenged to press for responsible news presentation. the peop

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