Bullock Texas State History Museum
'Chronicle' Biased Against Public-Access Television
RECEIVED Thu., Feb. 7, 2008
Dear Editor,
The article "Tempest in the PACT Teapot" [News, Feb. 8], by Wells Dunbar, is biased.
First, the public-access television producers are branded "wild, woolly," "restless," and "rambunctious." Their words are nothing more than "vitriol" and "gripes." Alex Jones is labeled a "mascot … invariably blowing hot air."
On the other hand, Public Access Community Television General Manager Garry Wilkison and Executive Director Linda Litowsky are described in neutral terms, except Litowsky's actions are described with the euphemism "unorthodox."
Second, Wells Dunbar confuses the concepts of "request" and "demand."
The article says, "Papatonis, via e-mail, demanded to know why his show never aired." And it says, "Citing the possibility of litigation, Litowsky declined to discuss her request for an apology."
Actually, Papatonis did not "demand" to know why his show never aired. He asked, "Why [i]s the city of Austin even paying you and PACT to run things?" This is not a "demand"; this is a "request" for information.
However, Litowsky did not "request" an apology from Papatonis; she "demanded" one. She threatened him with punishment if he did not obey her "demand." And, when he defied her "demand," she punished him.
The difference between a "request" and a "demand" is this:
When Papatonis asked his question, there were no consequences for Litowsky if she refused. Papatonis made a "request."
But when Litowsky ordered Papatonis to apologize, he faced the threat of punishment if he refused. Litowsky issued a "demand."
Dunbar knows exactly what he is doing when he reverses the concepts of "request" and "demand." He wants the management to look good and the producers to look bad.
Finally, The Austin Chronicle has never had anything good to say about public-access television – that is, until its critics (not its readers) gave Litowsky and Wilkison a phony "award" in 2007 for "Best Indefatigable Spirit to Keep Public Access TV Alive."
The Chronicle has always attacked public-access television producers as cantankerous, etc. This article continues the bias.
The article "Tempest in the PACT Teapot" [News, Feb. 8], by Wells Dunbar, is biased.
First, the public-access television producers are branded "wild, woolly," "restless," and "rambunctious." Their words are nothing more than "vitriol" and "gripes." Alex Jones is labeled a "mascot … invariably blowing hot air."
On the other hand, Public Access Community Television General Manager Garry Wilkison and Executive Director Linda Litowsky are described in neutral terms, except Litowsky's actions are described with the euphemism "unorthodox."
Second, Wells Dunbar confuses the concepts of "request" and "demand."
The article says, "Papatonis, via e-mail, demanded to know why his show never aired." And it says, "Citing the possibility of litigation, Litowsky declined to discuss her request for an apology."
Actually, Papatonis did not "demand" to know why his show never aired. He asked, "Why [i]s the city of Austin even paying you and PACT to run things?" This is not a "demand"; this is a "request" for information.
However, Litowsky did not "request" an apology from Papatonis; she "demanded" one. She threatened him with punishment if he did not obey her "demand." And, when he defied her "demand," she punished him.
The difference between a "request" and a "demand" is this:
When Papatonis asked his question, there were no consequences for Litowsky if she refused. Papatonis made a "request."
But when Litowsky ordered Papatonis to apologize, he faced the threat of punishment if he refused. Litowsky issued a "demand."
Dunbar knows exactly what he is doing when he reverses the concepts of "request" and "demand." He wants the management to look good and the producers to look bad.
Finally, The Austin Chronicle has never had anything good to say about public-access television – that is, until its critics (not its readers) gave Litowsky and Wilkison a phony "award" in 2007 for "Best Indefatigable Spirit to Keep Public Access TV Alive."
The Chronicle has always attacked public-access television producers as cantankerous, etc. This article continues the bias.
Gary Johnson,
Smash the State
Smash the State
