Media Self-examination Is Urged By Rep. Esch

Congressman Marvin L . lEsch, R-Ann Arbor, says he is iagainst government dictation to news media, but stresses his belief that self-examination is necessary to improvement of any institution. Esch issued a statement in connection with the controversy stemming f rom Vice President Spiro Agnew's criticisms of news media. The statement follows : "Is the controversy over televisión news reporting funiamentally a pro-Agnew question or one of pro-free speech against anti-free speech? I think it is neither. The basic question is whether TV, and all media, is doing the job it should for the American people. "In examining this question let me make one point clear without overtones, undertones or subtleties oí any sort: I am adamantly in favor of a respcnsible news media free of government dictation. I am fully pware of the inherent danger of feny attempts by the executive Ir legislative branches to pólice r the media. But I do believe that self-examination is the first step to lasting improvement for any institution. "Televisión, for example, is a medium of immense power we do not yet fully comprehend. When it emphasizes the violent and disruptive rather than the non-violent and constructive aspects of such events as antiwar demonstrations its appeal is to the darker side of human behavior. Anger and exasperat i o n , and understandable ingrediënt of our bewildering age, can be so intensified among our people that all reason is lost. "There is clearly no malicious intent involved. Rather it is the very nature of the medium that somehow pushes us toward emphasis on the extreme action. What we need, particularly in these perilous times, is a forcé for moderation. "We must remember that there are only three national televisión networks, an unusual concentration of power. Thus, I Delieve the networks must takel extraordinary steps to insurel that they are aware of andl reflect the range of views I across the country. "Televisión, and all mediaj should consider whether it isl giving sufficielt attention to all! aspects of American life. Therel was a vacuüm in big city cover-l age prior to the riots whenj Negro áreas were ignored.l There are gaps now in thel coverage of rural áreas, thel poor, the conservative viewpoints, the lower and medium levéis of national government, among others. "It is understandable that the televisión industry, striving to do a good job, may well resentí extensive commentary on it performance. No institution, the news media or Congress, really enjoys outside advic offered in a charged up atmo phere. Still, the wise institution is the one which controls its anger and limits its rebuttal while taking a closer look at itself.