Eastern Bias in the Media

In Shaw’s article “New York’s New York State of Mind” (Nov. 20), he was critical of the eastern corridor media for ignoring cultural and artistic events west of the Appalachian Mountains and south of the Potomac River. While it is true that network television, national news magazines, and the so-called national newspapers, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, may give short shrift to what goes on in other parts of the country, Shaw neglected to mention one form of media which does make sincere efforts to share with the entire nation all forms of artistic and cultural events as well as the people who are their creators and organizers. This is public radio, albeit National Public Radio or American Public Radio, or the local public radio stations which generate their own programing and pass it along to the networks.

Each of these public radio broadcasting systems is able to call upon the talents of the reporters of its various network members from around the country.

One of the examples which Shaw used to illustrate his thesis of the eastern media’s snobbishness was minimal coverage given to “the premier of a new and important opera, ‘Nixon in China,’ in a new and important opera house, Houston’s.” However, NPR’s “Morning Edition” news magazine, which originates from Washington, D.C., did a weeklong series of daily 10-minute segments on “Nixon in China.”

With the advent of television, many people predicted the death of radio. However, public radio is very much alive, both west and east of the Hudson River. It reaches an audience which is intelligent and hungry for the arts, whether it be in the metropolitan Los Angeles area or America’s farm belt.

The positive response of its audience can be best illustrated by the fact that public radio is largely supported by its listeners.

MICHAEL D. MARANS

Los Angeles