2 Networks Decline to Air Speech

President Reagan will give an address today in support of Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert H. Bork, but two networks said they would not air the speech live.

Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Tuesday that Reagan planned a six- to seven-minute address from the Oval Office starting at 12:15 p.m. PDT. The time comes in the middle of afternoon soap operas on ABC, CBS and NBC.

In New York, both ABC and CBS said they would not interrupt scheduled programming to air the speech live.

ABC spokeswoman Carol Olwert said the speech would be covered “in our regular newscasts.”

CBS spokeswoman Donna Dees, quoting executive producer of special events Lane Vernardos, said CBS would reconsider only if the White House indicated there would be “hard news” in the remarks. “So far, it looks like it will be similar to Saturday’s radio address.”

No decision had been announced at NBC, spokesman Bill McAndrew said. Cable News Network said it would air the speech live.

The White House usually gives presidential speeches during prime network hours because of a larger audience. But Fitzwater said: “This was the best time on the President’s schedule. It also allows him to speak prior to the evening newscasts.”

The last time the networks declined to carry live coverage of an address to the nation by Reagan was in June, 1986, when he wanted to appeal for aid to the Nicaraguan contras.