With regard to programming standards and practices in 1986, what is the status of American network television? Where are its weaknesses and strengths? How does network television in the United States measure and address the needs of its audiences? Eli A. Rubenstein and Alfred R. Schneider discuss these and other questions concerning mass media. “Newspapers and Ethics” (March 16, 1986, Episode 285) is a companion to this program.
At [24:20] John O’Connor comments on American cultural disagreements about the appropriate role of television in society.
At the time of this interview, Rubenstein was professor of journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Schneider was vice president for Policy and Standards at ABC.
O’Connor was Assistant Director for Programs at the National Humanities Center.
This episode of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
