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Although truth usually conquers such error in the realm of serious scholarly debate, there is less likelihood of dispelling the distorted beliefs about history that casual viewers bring away from docudramas. Few books ever become truly "definitive," in the sense that no further books are written to challenge their interpretation. But docudramas have far less often retraveled ground covered by previous examples of the genre. If the only show on a subject is erroneous, corrective information may not sink in when conveyed in the less vivid form of print. The TV networks are plainly within their constitutional rights to make docudramas, and to express whatever point of view they wish. Their output may add to public knowledge and enrich public debate. But given what misimpressions of history a docudrama may also leave, the furor in Atlanta should provide an impetus for overdue self-restraint. In a thoughtful, democratic society, nothing is more sacred and vital than the ability to agree on, and face, the facts, whatever they may be. For networks that pride themselves on their journalism to play fast and loose with facts, whatever the intentions, is deplorable. For the public, a little false knowledge can be a dangerous thing.