orb@whuxl.UUCP (SEVENER) (03/17/86)
Here is yet more evidence of the *right-wing* bias of the media.
This is a quote from an article in the New York Times by Aljean Harmetz
November 25,1986 p.C18 :
"Although no one has made a reliable national survey on the matter
a modest sampling suggests that groups producing programs supporting
the policies of the Reagan Administration often have little
difficulty in buying time. John Fisher, chairman of the American
Security Council, which makes the largest number of half-hour
programs with a pro-defense viewpoint, said that the council placed
"Peace through Strength" - a program aimed at alerting Americans
about the dangers of "peace through appeasement" - on 174 stations
in one week in September, 1984.
"According to Mr. Fisher, "Peace through Strength" and "Crisis in the
Americas", a pro-Administration program on Central America, have each
been shown more than 900 times on television. In many cases the
programs were broadcast free by stations as public-service programs
for which the council did not have to buy time, he said.
.....
"Neighbor to Neighbor has filed a complaint with the FCC against KBHK-TV,
San Francisco's Channel 44, charging a breach of the Fairness Doctrine
(my note: Reagan's appointees to the FCC all support total elimination
of the Fairness Doctrine)
because of the station's refusal to sell time. Mr Allen says that
KBHK is usually willing to accept paid broadcasting and that the only
prime-time coverage that Channel 44 has given to Central America
in the last 12 months has been the pro-Administration opinions of
the Rev. Jerry Falwell on his Moral Majority programs. Mr Falwell
buys $20 million worth of television time each year.
.....
"James Griffin, vice president of broadcast operations at WJLA, the
ABC affiliate in Washington, said his station's policy was
"to provide a forum for enlightened debate on issues." He said
that WJLA did not run "Faces of War" because "we had just concluded
a lot of discussion on the issue and we can't debate it forever."
....
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I suppose once you've heard the Reagan Administration and right-wing
viewpoints, that is about all the discussion you need.
Anyhow, those peaceniks hardly contribute to "enlightened" debate.
tim sevener whuxn!orb