Maroon

              loyola maroon April 27,1973 VoI.XLIX No. 25 WWL to increase minority programming By STU GORDON In response to demands by Citizens United for Responsive Broadcasting (CURB) WWL-TV, channel 4, has agreed to implement additions to its programming to increase minority programming in New Orleans community. WWL-TV, owned by Loyola, has agreed to: -establish an advisory council which will advise WWL-TV on appropriate programming to meet and deal with community needs and problems. -seek to increase the visibility of women and minorities on and off camera in the operation of WWL-TV. -produce within the next two months a documentary film dealing with the unemployment and job opportunities for the black people and citing the many and positive contributions made by black people toward the growth and progress of the community by black people. -devote more air time to local health problems. -request more local public service announcements and expand and increase the production by the station of such announcements for organizations within the community. -meet with representatives of organizations working with Spanish speaking people to devise methods of programming which can best meet their needs. -take a very strong position against any remarks, comments, or ad-libs which can be considered offensive by women or minorities. -gear more of its programming toward blacks, women, minorities and children. -present 30 second "free speech messages" each day representing the views of the people within the viewing area. CURB spokesman Roger Nord said that he believes that this responses minimally satisfies what CURB sees as a deficiency in New Orleans television programming. "It is only beginning. We got our minimum from them. A lot will depend on how diligent the advisory council is. We'd rather see an effective advisory council and weak agreement rather than a generous agreement and no one around to see it put into practice," Nord said. The Rev. Francis A. Benedetto, SJ. vice-president for Broadcasting for Loyola University said that WWL does not wish to over-emphasize a dichotomy in programming between whites and minorities. He maintains that quality programming should be the most important consideration. "We are doing more Public affairs programming than any other station as it is. We want a proper balance of programming. We are not going to become an educational broadcasting station. We are a competitive broadcasting station that will only survive by giving the public what the public wants," Fr. Benedetto said. He added that CURB represents only the minorities, and doesn't represent the general public. Nord maintains, however, that CURB does indeed represent the majority of the New Orleans public, since it represents blacks, Spanish-American people, women, children and senior citizens. He notes that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognizes the airwaves as the property of the public and therefore broadcast stations are responsible to that public. But, said Nord, theFCC doesnthave the staff to investigate the operations of each broadcast station, and this was the reason CURB was formed- to see to it that the television stations in New Orleans meet their obligations to the public. Initially, CURB, a coalition of 25 New Orleans organizations, had threatened to challenge the licences of channels 4, 6 and 8 in court if each did not meet the organizations demands, which included: -that the stations devote at least five hours per week of Public Service Affairs programming and increase public service announcements. -that the station hire more minority employees arid more women. -that the stations broaden their news coverage to include Spanish news, news for the deaf population, and a community access program providing 30 second free speech messages aired during prime time at least one day each week. -that the stations eliminate commercials that are "by (their) wording or implication discriminatory, or offensive to women or minorities; or are misleading or of doubtful legality," and that they present women and minorities in the community.. Fr. Benedetto said that CURB "wanted the problems solved, but wanted WWL to figure out how." He said that CURB had been overly specific in their demands. According to Nord, WWL, as well as the other two television stations, isD managed by men that are "business people first, and public management people second." "They are not happy about the public telling them how to run their business," said Nord. Reverend Benedetto Rayhawk named editor Bob Rayhawk, out-going president of the Student Government Association has been appointed editor of the Loyola Maroon for the fall semester next year. Rayhawk, a Business Administration junior from New Orleans, was one of four applicants for the position. It marks the first time in recent Loyola history that a student outside of the journalism department applied for and was awarded the job. He was picked by a joint vote of the Maroon editorial board and the department of journalism faculty. The other three applicants, Aly Colon, Tara Leßlanc and Joan Quinters are all journalism students. Rayhawk plans to bring a fresh perspective to the Maroon. "I have seen different angles of Loyola that I'm not sure most journalism students are aware of," Rayhawk said. He said he plans to cover more schools in his tenure as editor and that City College, Business Administration and the Law School have been overlooked. "I plan to put more emphasis on news and less on features and reviews," he said. Rayhawk said he was flattered that he was chosen for the job and that "everyone who applied was really well qualified." Rayhawk didn't believe that his recent support of Bob DeVoto for the SGA presidency would represent a conflict of interest. 'The SGA is only one source of news," said Rayhawk. "I feel that I will remain objective towards it." One of his fundamental bases for objectivity will be a "broad Bob Rayhawk-new Maroon leader editorial board" according to Ray hawk. Rayhawk cited the high challenge of taking over a new position as one of his main reasons for applying for the job. "I'll have to learn quickly, quicker than I've ever had to learn anything before. 11l have to depend on others to get things done." he said. This issue marks the last issue of the Maroon this semester. The last day of classes is May 3. Final exams begin on May 7, a week from Monday. Red Beans and Rice with this issue Mid-term grades felt inadequate see page 3