jeru

As you know this is my first public address since I took over my new job. When the New Frontiers had rode into town, I locked myself in my office to get my feet wet.

Let me make clear that what I am talking about is balance. I believe that the public interest is made up of many interests. There are many people in this great country and you must serve all of us. You will get no argument from me, if you say that given a choice between a western and a symphony, more people will watch the western. I like westerns too, but a steady diet for the whole country is obviously not in the public interest.

We all know that people would more often prefer to be entertained, than stimulated or informed, but your obligations are not satisfied if you look only to popularity as a test of what to broadcast. You are not only in showbusiness, you are free to communicate ideas as well as relaxation. You must provide a wider range of choices, more diversity, more alternatives. It is not enough to cater to the nation’s whims, you must also serve the nation’s needs.

There will be times, perhaps, when you will consider that I take myself or my job too seriously, frankly I don’t care if you do, for I am convinced that either one takes this job seriously or one can be seriously taken.