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University Daily Kansan
Monday, March 25. 1963
Editorials Topic of Radio-TV Clinic
Radio and television stations should editorialize in order to increase their stature in the community, said Doug Anello, general counsel to the National Association of Broadcasters.
Answering questions during the first session of the 11th annual regional meeting of the Radio and Television News Clinic at KU, Anello said an increase in editorializing stations would strengthen broadcasting's fight against the Federal Communications Commission's increasing influence on programming.
Anello said the most successful editorials are devoted to local topics. They have a greater impact on the people.
The decline of daily newspapers is so alarming, he said, that broadcasters must step in to fill the editorial void.
The topic under discussion, "Is Controversy an Editorial or an Issue?", was presented by Dick Combs, general manager of radio station KLKC, Parsons.
Combs said controversy is the "heart and soul" of broadcasting. He said stations can actively take the lead in presenting comment on various controversial issues.
Combs brought out, however, the importance of fairness in commenting on controversial issues.
The first topic of discussion, "Doctrine of Fairness," was presented by Thad Sandstrom, general manager of stations WIBW and WIBWTV, Topeka, Kan.
The doctrine of fairness places the responsibility of fair comment
on the shoulders of the broadcasters. Sandstrom said.
He said the primary purpose of broadcasters is to make the general public aware of the vital issues and to present both sides of controversial issues.
Another topic, "I Don't Editorialize," was presented by Rod Cupp, general manager of station KOFO, Ottawa. Instead of editorsials, Cupp said, his station provides viewpoints and information through panel discussions that help listeners draw their own conclusions.
Cupp said that despite the FCC ruling in 1949 which allowed broadcasters to present opinion, they still do not and will not have the complete freedom of editorial opinion of the newspapers.
Ed McKernan, Sr., general manager of station KVOE, Emporia, presented the topic, "I Only Editorialize When I'm Concerned."
McKernan said that constant day to day editorializing weakens the audience's awareness of the important issues. His station gives editorials only when he feels an issue merits comment.
Anello summed up the comment by saying, "I don't advocate any broadcaster going to jail like Peter Zenger . . . but our chances of becoming equated with the newspaper is greater if we try to editorialize more."
Heels Have '2-Ton' Force
BATH, England — (UPI) — Al-derman Adrian Hopkins yesterday pleaded for a rule to protect the floors of the National Trust Assembly Room from women guests.
An American Universities Field Staff speaker—an expert on Latin American affairs—will be at KU March 25-April 3 to speak to more than 20 campus groups.
AUFS Member Here This Week
Richard W. Patch, an anthropologist who has spent the last 18 months studying in Bolivia and Peru, will lecture on the various social, political, and economic aspects of the countries.
Racer Hits Fence Injures 3 Children
DALLAS, Tex. (UPI) A 1931 jalopy converted into a racing car lost its steering wheel on a high speed curve at Devil's Bowl Track yesterday and smashed through a guard rail where three children were sitting.
The children, all from one family, were injured, two of them seriously. The driver of the racer, Jimmy W. Travis, 25, of Dallas walked away unharmed from his wrecked car. A few adults at the rail scattered to safety moments before the crash.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde J. Coomer of suburban Garland were at the rail with their three children, Clyde Jr., 11, Jimmy, 9 and Linda, 7. All three children were rushed to Baylor University Medical Center where Clyde had a leg amputated. His condition was listed as satisfactory. Jimmy was in fair condition. Linda was treated and sent home.
Travis said the wheel came off the steering post as he was pulling out of the curve on a trial run to tune up the car for races next Friday.
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