Despite incidents of sensationalism, inaccuracies and distortions, newspapers, radio and television, on the whole made a real effort to give a balanced factual account of the 1967 disorders Despite this effort, the overall effect was, we believe, an exaggeration of both mood and intent.
—President's Commission
on Civil Disorders
This backhanded slap, coming just a few weeks before the assassination of Martin Luther King, was a sharp reminder of television's great and grave responsibilities in times of national crisis. Thus, when the explosive news event occurred, TV's mood and intent were one: cool it....
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
