ITV PROGRAMMES SIR,—Pharos is at it again. He writes, 'They
[the 1TA contractors) are doing little or nothing to im- prove the quality of programmes.' Would Pharos please tell us who is to decide what is better for the public other than, their own choice?
submit that .Pharos wants it both' ways, in that if the majority choose according to his standards he shouts, 'Hoorah for democracy,' but if not he growls, 'Tamper with democracy.'
I can spend minutes playing the slot machines on Brighton pier. 1 can spend hours looking at the furniture in the pavilion; because I prefer the pavilion, have I the right to rebuke the Mayor of Brighton and to advise him to close the pier for certain hours in the hope of forcing the majority to share my preference?
Riddle me that, Pharos.—Yours faithfully, 4 Darnley Terrace, Kensington, W I1
JOHN IRWIN
[Pharos writes: 'Mr. Irwin would think poorly of Brighton if it offered nothing except the pavilion and the pier. So long as there are only two tele- vision networks it is desirable that each of them should provide 'a balanced service: that is to say, a service which caters for minorities as well as for mass audiences—as the Television Act insisted it should. The present pattern of commercial teleVision, by .which programmes having any appeal to an in- telligent audience are pushed out to the afternoon or past-bedtime hours, is—in my opinion—in con- travention of the Act.'—Editor, Spectator.] ' '
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