Media's Future
While I agree with Professor Fountain's observations
on media ownership ("Disappearing
Ink?" May), he provided scarce examples
of exactly how this concentration of ownership has eroded the quality of
our news. The Staples Center case in Los Angeles and the Mercy Medical
Center arrangement in Baltimore are cited, but isn't there more dirty laundry
in the closets of corporate journalism?
Fountain asks us to accept that concentration
of ownership is bad, which it is, but his blast against the walls of corporate
ownership lacks the cannonballs of data needed to punch any real holes.
If he's talking about trends, there should be more to the story.
Larz Neilson, LA'76
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Beavis and Butthead
So Charles Fountain laments the "decline
of journalism." So do most of us. We are betrayed by those who were
once pledged to tell the facts but who now are merely interested in market
share. The journalists that the First Amendment was written to protect
are now in show business. The absurdity is that the liberal media, who
are mostly in favor of gun control, after gutting the Second Amendment,
will apparently turn to Beavis and Butthead to protect their First Amendment
freedom.
Bob Ristom, E'60
Lewisville, Texas
Following are some comments from readers that were
attached to magazine subscription forms returned from January through August.
Defining Quality
Please continue to feature articles about Northeastern's
role in the international community. As an export manager, I have had the
privilege to build projects in ten countries. Americans who have not traveled
have so much to learn, so much to understand. "Quality of life"
is not measured by the size of your local shopping mall.
James C. Cram, LA'73
Hollis, New Hampshire
Bring Back Herb
In the past, there have been many enjoyable articles
written by Herb Hadad. I haven't seen anything by him for a few years.
Please get him back.
Martin Shavel, BA'59
Brooline, Massachusetts
Upping the Ante
I have noticed some extremely negative comments
in the letters section about the magazine's content, with some readers
threatening to cancel their subscriptions. I have doubled my pledge. You're
doing a great job.
Robert V. Atcherley, E'69
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
The magazine is generally very good. The occasional blatant liberal
slant is very unpleasant, but free speech is available to everyone, not
just the intelligent folks, I suppose.
Steven H. Baden, E'96
Atlanta, Georgia
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