Eyes left
Sir: Following on from Nigel Lawson's astute observations on One Pair of Eyes ('Spectator's notebook,' 7 March) and Mr Bewlay's letter (14 March), I would like to add some further comments on the sac's attitude to reporting.
I was, for two years, engaged in work which sought to analyse and collate information on the broadcasting media's attitude to current affairs. During this time, distinct trends and patterns became clear in all fields of broad- casting, but in no element more clearly than the sac.
Firstly, there is the prevailing sympathy with what might loosely be termed as the 'agonised liberal' view. It would be inaccurate to say that this is aligned with the traditional left, as it offers no finite solutions to the problems it examines: racial disharmony, student unrest, calls for 'participation' etc. It is anxious to air minority views at the expense of the dignity and reason contained in those of the majority, to the point where, say, the ordinary man in the street's opinion on LSE disputes is made to sound a reactionary caricature of all that is worst in the right wing. This collective atti- tude appears in drama, avant-garde arts features, 'chat' programmes etc, as well as the news magazine programmes.
Secondly, there is the outright political im- balance where so-called independent experts join table discussions with peers, min and the like, putting forward views which can hardly be said to be objective. These therefore put a form of moral pressure on those inclining to the right, as they feel both outnumbered and academically in the wrong.
The main problem in putting this argument against the Bac across is that isolated incidents in broadcasting do not form an intellectually satisfying case; nor do generalisations in letters such as mine. But if numerous pages could be provided for lists and tables. I assure you that the case can be proved and it would be seen that my comments have foundation. The most disturbing element of this truism is that while one is confined to broad statements, the viewing and listening public remains prey to nihilism and subtle conditioning, neither of which, in my view, are beneficial factors in a developing society.
Julie Gooding 132 Wymering Mansions, Maida Vale, London W9
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