I AM NOT trying to suggest that the Prime Minister
has abused broadcasting's hospitality; on the con- trary, I shall be very pleased if his recent appearances have finally destroyed the old notion of time 'balance.' It is absurd to try to set off hour against hour—or, still more absurd, second against second, as in the Rochdale broadcasts. Obviously there remains a need for some balance to be struck; equally obviously it cannot be struck simply by equalising the total of time rival politicians spend on the air. The problem should be left to the two authorities, BBC and ITA, who are quite capable of ensuring fairness without outside regulations. And one of the first things they should do is to insist that what purport to be 'press conferences' should not be rigged to give the speaker an easy ride. The only one of Mr. Macmillan's questioners who went after him to any effect was Mr. Robin Day, in Tell the People. The BBC's interviewing was unforgivably mealy- mouthed, even by BBC standards.
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