【正文】 , situation edy, variety, quiz, and movies. Is there one work president in this room who claims he can39。ll see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, I only ask you to try it. Is there one person in this room who claims that broadcasting can39。 some were marvelously informative, such as The Nation39。 some were dramatic and moving, such as Conrad39。t. We still listen. But in recent years most of the controversies and crosscurrents in broadcast programming have swirled around television. And so my subject today is the television industry and the public interest. Like everybody, I wear more than one hat. I am the chairman of the FCC. But I am also a television viewer and the husband and father of other television viewers. I have seen a great many television programs that seemed to me eminently worthwhile and I am not talking about the much bemoaned good old days of Playhouse 90 and Studio One. I39。t want any of you radio broadcasters to think that we39。s benefit, so will history decide whether today39。s world, with chaos in Laos and the Congo aflame, with Communist tyranny on our Caribbean doorstep, relentless pressures on our Atlantic alliance, with social and economic problems at home of the gravest nature, yes, and with the technological knowledge that makes it possible, as our President has said, not only to destroy our world but to destroy poverty around the world in a time of peril and opportunity, the old placent, unbalanced fare of actionadventure and situation edies is simply not good enough. Your industry possesses the most powerful voice in America. It has an inescapable duty to make that voice ring with intelligence and with leadership. In a few years, this exciting industry has grown from a novelty to an instrument of overwhelming impact on the American people. It should be making ready for the kind of leadership that newspapers and magazines assumed years ago, to make our people aware of their world. Ours has been called the jet age, the atomic age, the space age. It is also, I submit, the television age. And just as history will decide whether the leaders of today39。 and to stimulate it, not censor it. Above all, I am here to uphold and protect the public interest. Now what do we mean by the public interest? Some say the public interest is merely what interests the public. I disagree. And so does your distinguished president, Governor Collins. In a recent speech and of course as I also told you yesterday In a recent speech he said, Broadcasting to serve the public interest, must have a soul and a conscience, a burning desire to excel, as well as to sell。 to reward it, not to punish it。ve just said it. But I want to say to you as earnestly as I can that it is not in that spirit that I e before you today, nor is it in that spirit that I intend to serve the FCC. I am in Washington to help broadcasting, not to harm it。s in the history of broadcast regulation. If he meant that we intend to enforce the law in the public interest, let me make it perfectly clear that he is right: We do. If he meant that we intend to muzzle or censor broadcasting, he is dead wrong. It wouldn39。59 to 39。s airwaves as trustees for 180 million Americans. The public is your beneficiary. If you want to stay on as trustees, you must deliver a decent return to the public not only to your stockholders. So, as a representative of the public, your health and your product are among my chief concerns. Now as to your health, let39。s messages about the regulatory agencies, conflict of interest, and the dangers of ex parte contacts. And, of course, we at the Federal Communications Commission will do our part. Indeed, I may even suggest that we change the name of the FCC to The Seven Untouchables. It may also e as a surprise to some of you, but I want you to know that you have my admiration and my respect. Yours is a most honorable profession. Anyone who is in the broadcasting business has a tough row to hoe. You earn your bread by using public property. When you work in broadcasting you volunteer for public service, public pressure, and public regulation. You must pete with other attractions and other investments, and the only way you can do it is to prove to us every three years that you should have been in business in the first place. I can think of easier ways to make a living. But I cannot think of more satisfying ways. I admire your courage but that doesn39。s been a great pleasure and an honor for me to meet so many of you. And I want to thank you for this opportunity to meet with you today. As you know, this is my first public address since I took over my new job. When the New Frontiersmen rode into town, I locked myself in my office to do my homework and get my feet wet. But apparently I haven39。美國(guó)經(jīng)典英文演講 100 篇 :Television and the Public Interest Newton N. Minow Television and the Public Interest delivered 9 May 1961, National Association of Broadcasters, Washington, DC [AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio] Governor Collins, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Governor Collins you39。re much too kind, as all of you have been to me the last few days. It39。t managed yet to stay out of hot water. I seem to have detected a very nervous apprehension about what I might say or do when I emerged from that locked office for this, my maiden station break. So first let me begin by dispelling a rumor. I was not picked for this job because I regard myself as the fastest draw on the New Frontier. Second, let me start a rumor. Like you, I have carefully read President Kennedy39。t mean that I would make life any easier for you. Your license lets you use the public39。s talk only of television today. 1960 gross broadcast