TV Interviews

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 10

TV Interviews

Sir,—lf F. B. Shaw and “Parent” had listened more carefully they would have heard that all questions were first submitted to Sir Francis Adams for his approval. His judgment is surely better than theirs. The questions, not only of youth, but of infants and schoolchildren, can be very refreshing to the human hearts by which some of us live. There is no need to be hard on the child because she asks mummy if she has wax in her ears. Perhaps she has: folks all round can be very illuminating.— Yours, etc., HOPES AND FEARS. August 5, 1965.

Sir, —Your correspondents wishing to preserve the “front-parlour” gentility of television interviews appear to overlook what should be the primary object of such interviews—the extraction of information. This is often resisted by those interviewed, particularly when they are politicians, and vital information can only be obtained by the exercise of skill and

persistence. British television has provided excellent examples of purposeful and informative interviewing, some of which have been rebroadcast here.—Yours, etc., VIEWER. August 5, 1965.

Sir, —I feel that the criticism of the recent panel in the feature, “Youth Wants to Know,” perhaps is a little unfair. The critics have overlooked in the particular interview it was made quite clear that Sir Francis Adams had sighted the questions before the interview, and, that being so, he had every opportunity to ask for a deletion of any particular question or of refusing an answer. The young panel conduct themselves very admirably, and in a manner in which many adults could well afford to profit by. They should, if anything, be encouraged to exercise their searching young minds in the high standard they maintain.— Yours, etc., CITIZEN. August 5, 1965.