Viewers’ Views

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32304, 23 May 1970, Page 3

Viewers’ Views

Letters on television topics are subject to the rules apply-1 ing to general correspondence i MR TRUDEAU In last Tuesday's "Gallery”] a Mr Williams gave a criticism of newspapers that was unfair even for “Column Comment.” His coinplaint was that the newspapers had concentrated on the frivolous side of Mr Trudeau's visit, and neglected the serious. I have consulted files of “The Press” for the period of Mr Trudeau’s visit. On May 13, "The Press” gave a front page story describing Mr Trudeau’s call for a joint effort in the Pacific Basin. On May 14 a front page story described Mr Trudeau’s speech at the State luncheon; the heading was “Canada Increases South Pacific Aid.” )On May 15, ‘The Press” had ; a front page story describing Mr Trudeau's day in Christchurch, and on Saturday had 'a front page story giving Mr Trudeau’s farewell message. ! If ever there was tendentious ] comment, it came from Mr I Williams who, 1 understand,

teaches journalism to young peopIe.—HEAVEN HELP US. When a man like Trudeau, who obviously has so much of interest to tell us New Zealanders, has to spend almost half an interview justifying a public image for which he may or may not be responsible to an inane and totally uncomprehending interviewer, it is time for some reassurance that nothing like this will occur again. Obviously, the best assurance we could have would be the news that B. Edwards had been posted to the women’s hour, where I imagine he would do extremely well. But for the intelligence and sense of humour on the part of Trudeau, that interview might well have been part of the women’s session. It certainly contained very little intellectual or farsighted questioning or discussion that we expect from “Gallery.” On the whole I feel extremely embarrassed about the general bad taste exhibited and I would expect the N.Z.B.C. to be just as embarrassed as 1 am—R. J. AGNEW, Auckland.