SATURDAY LETTERS / TV RIOT COVERAGE : Sensational TV Gets Blame for Violence

I commend Howard Rosenberg for his column pointing out TV’s contribution to the terrible violence in Los Angeles and other areas, touched off by the Rodney G. King verdict (“TV’s Double-Edged Role in Crisis,” May 1).

Network executives know very well that TV cameras often inflame violent acts by making “movie stars” out of looters, arsonists and others. In spite of this, all TV stations seemed to be taking part in a feeding frenzy, jumping back and forth from one “action reporter” to another, looking for some new act of violence to highlight.

Many field reporters, even some news anchors, seemed actually excited by what was happening. TV’s never-ending quest for sensationalism is despicable if not criminal.

JOHN PETRY

Corona del Mar