Council Protests ‘One-Sided’ View of City’s Problems by News Media

The Los Angeles City Council jumped on board the “I L.A.” bandwagon Wednesday, blaming the news media for a growing national impression that the city is sinking in a sea of troubles.

At the request of newly elected San Fernando Valley Councilwoman Laura Chick, the council unanimously passed a resolution protesting what it called unfair media focus on the city’s problems and asking for more balanced reporting.

The council’s motion also praised efforts to mount a $30 million-a-year ad campaign rivaling the “I Love N.Y.” media blitz of yesteryear to revive Los Angeles’ reputation, which has been battered by riots and an economic slump.

The council acted shortly before CBS-TV broadcast a “48 Hours” program Wednesday night that asked: “Has L.A.’s moment in the sun passed?”

The council’s resolution singled out the program and recent articles in Time and Newsweek in protesting “unfair, one-sided media focus on the problems of this region while ignoring all positive attributes.”

The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes to launch a privately bankrolled $30-million-a-year ad campaign to improve the city’s image.

During Wednesday’s discussion, Council President John Ferraro blamed the Los Angeles Times for writing “nothing but negative stories” about Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times communications director Laura Morgan said Ferraro’s charge was “simply not true.”

“We cover all aspects of this complex and interesting city, including its triumphs as well as its difficulties. That’s what responsible, balanced reporting is all about,” she said.

CBS News spokesman Tom Goodman defended the “48 Hours” program, saying, “There’s some good news in it, some bad news in it, there’s a little bit of everything.”