Periodically, the criticism arises from various quarters that the radio
and television industry is not realizing its full potential. How often
have you heard the criticism that your medium is not presenting a
sufficient number of public service programs ? How often have you heard
that you in the industry are addicted to ratings? How often have
you heard: "Too many westerns?" "Too much violence?" "Too many
doctors?" "Too many lawyers?" "Not enough Indian Chiefs?" But
how many of your critics fully appreciate the fact that the medium has
to appeal to the broadest possible spectrum of individual tastes? Those
who raise such questions usually do so with the best of intentions,
without realizing that the criticisms they raise may only reflect their
own personal points of view. Even as an individual with no connection
whatsoever with the radio and television industry, I can sympathize
with your attempts to reply to such criticism. After all, as Governor, I
am reminded almost daily of the impossibility of being all things to all
people.

The other day I sat down and, without reference to notes but relying
solely upon memory, listed the programs recently shown on television
that certainly indicate to me that television is doing a splendid job of
interpreting the news. How much better all of us understand the plight
of the unfortunate East Berliner after viewing "The Tunnel. " Imagine
the questions that arose in the viewers' minds following Rachel Car-
son's Silent Spring. Or the insight we gained into the water pollution
and supply problem after seeing "The Trouble with Water is People. "

But perhaps the most dramatic development of recent years is that
local stations no longer rely solely on networks to furnish them with
documentaries or material for documentaries concerning problems of
nationwide scope. Local radio and television documentaries are ap-
pearing in ever increasing numbers. "Storm over Assateague" has ap-
peared twice in Baltimore. Others have touched upon such subjects
as gambling, prayers in public schools and mental illness. This is a
wholesome development because it provides all our citizens with an
opportunity to understand more fully and to appreciate the problems
that face governments on a daily basis. It is this fuller understanding
of the problems that enables our citizens to better govern themselves.
In a very true sense, it lifts us from a rut of complacency by focusing

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