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Show Page 4 Feb. 12, 1974 Signpost ABC cancels Cavett; abridges free speech by Wil Greg Managing Editor Freedom of speech in the United States took another blow this week as the American Broadcasting Company cancelled a scheduled segment of the "Dick Cavett Show." The cancelled program featured an interview with four members of the "Chicago Seven," a group of antiwar demonstrators tried on conspiracy charges in 1968 following the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The four, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Ren-nie Davis and Jerry Rubin, talked to Cavett about their changed lifestyles since their trial, according to a UPI wire story. It seems, that the network was concerned about the lack of opposing viewpoints provided to offset the ideas of Cavett's guests. Perhaps the network was concerned with "equal time" requirements imposed by the Federal Communications Commission. However, these requirements only apply to political campaigns and therefore in this case are irrelevant. "Fairness and balance" What is relevant is that four residents of the United States were denied the right to say something publically in response to directed questioning. The network claims they acted in the name of "fairness" and "balance." What is fair about forcing a discussion to become a political debate? Speaking of balance, what about Sunday morning religious shows. I haven't noticed ABC requiring Oral Roberts to give the "Devil" equal time to provide an "expansion of viewpoints" to provide a balanced representation of controversial material. In this age, religion is one of the most controversial topics around. . In response to network actions, Cavett said he was in puzzled amazement. He said that he felt that he offered sufficient contrast to his guest's point of view and said that the program was a "mere taffy pull" compared to what he would have expected from them in their "heyday." Exaggerated actions Perhaps the network questioned Cavett's handling of the interviews, however, their actions appear exaggerated in proportion to Cavett's statements. - ABC has agreed to air the program at a later date if the views are expanded. However, to do this, they would either have to completely retape the session which would be a rerun for the four guests and would not be natural and free flowing. If they chose to take the original tape and splice in differing viewpoints, then what is the purpose. They might as well run two separate programs on successive nights because there would be no interaction between the guests, and there would be no real "expansion" of viewpoints. ABC's actions are in direct contradiction to pleadings by the mass media in recent years concerning encroachments of their freedoms and denial of their rights guaranteed by the first amendment. Granted, as a private corporation, ABC has the right and perogative to pass judgement on anything they chose to broadcast. But, when they cry wolf the next time government or some other agency steps on their toes, their credibility will definitely be jeopardized. Published twice weekly by the Associated Students of Weber State College during fall, winter and spring quarters. Entered as second class mail at the Ogden, Utah Post Office. Mailing address: We.ber State College, 3750 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Utah 84403. The opinions expressed on the editorial page of the SIGNPOST do not necessarily represent those of the studentbody or the administration.Bonnie Cantwell Wil Grey Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Dave Jones Business Manager DaveMHget Wire and News Editor Ira D. Hatch News Editor Debra Malan Features Editor Fred Barta Photo Editor Randy Hollis Sports Editor Memberships: United Press International, Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, Associate Member Utah Press Association I Students once again begin ! I attempts to revise book J Student rights and responsibilities have once j . agin spurred interest and discussion among the J ranks of student government and the Weber State J College administration. Rights, punishments, I . disciplinary boards have long concerned students j all over the country. J " There is now a movement to re-revise the J present WSC student rights and responsibilities j . handbook; the same kind of attempt failed about a year and a half ago. This time students as well as J " the administration are supporting a revision nf the j handbook which is now in force. This present i handbook, which the Signpost recently reprinted, 1 is the first and only rights and responsibilities j guideline students have had. It was written in 1969 j.by the faculty-controlled Students Affairs Com- mittee. As in the revision attempt in 1972, students jare attempting to write the handbook and then j . receive the approval of administrative bodies rather than have the faculty write the book and J'seek student approval, as was done with the j present handbook. 1- Focus on issues ' It will be interesting to see the issues which Jcome into focus as the revision and approval take j . place. Last time, in loco parentis, or the right of the college to act in the place of the parents, and the fright of the college to search rooms in the dor-j.mitories were very emotionally-ridden issues. There is little doubt that these same kinds of things will come up. J Another possible point of change may be the ap peals Doara, ana tne metnoa by wmcn students are tried and punished for deviant behavior. On many campuses, especially during the 1960's, punative boards were the subject of much student ire. Harvard University for instance established a corrective board in 1969 to try and sentence student violators of campus rules. The board was administration-controlled, with only three students appointed to sit on the board. Seeing the entire board as a mechanism to punish student radicals, and protesters, every student appointed to sit on the board since its beginnings has refused to attend any meetings or trials. Under fire The entire board is presently under fire by students at the university as once again the administration tries to get students to participate in the punishment and trials of offending students. Weber State College students should look at their roles very carefully as they establish a new guideline for student rights. The rights and responsibilities handbook could open up several possibilities for student freedoms, including the right to 24-hour open house in dormitories. Also as more and more states lower the legal adult age to 18, colleges are facing loss of in loco parentis rights. Student rights agreed upon by the college and administration may eliminate problems by establishing agreements between the two. Already the handbook now in force has kept some dormitory residents from facing because during the accusation, their rights according to the handbook were violated. The Student Rights and Responsibility handbook is a serious matter, and presently very badly in need of revision. Students should take a look at the present handbook and seek input into the new one. I J i J J J- J- J J- J- J i J- J- t J- J J x J j J i- j- Letters to the editor Marathon supporters praised The SIGNPOST welcomes all letters to the editor. In order to be considered for publication, letters must not exceed 250 words, must be typewritten on a 60 space line, double spaced and signed with the writer's name. However, the writer's name may be withheld from printing if he can show reason why it should be. Letters must be addressed to the editor and submitted or mailed to the SIGNPOST office, U.B. 267. The SIGNPOST will not print any letters which are libelous or in poor taste. The SIGNPOST also welcomes student forum editorials from students or editorials from faculty or administration persons. All editorials must be typewritten on 60 space line, double spaced, and signed with the writer's name. The SIGNPOST will accept editorials on all subjects and of all viewpoints. Congratulations Dear Editor: At this time I feel it necessary to congratulate Rich Lewis and the Weber State Dance Committee for the outstanding job they did in organizing the second Dance Marathon. Special mention should go to Kathleen Passey, Barbara and Donna Joseph, Kirsten Turner, Kim Cooley, Bruce and Brian Davis, and the entire Dance Committee. A special thanks belongs to ' KWCR Radio, for providing most of our music throughout the Marathon. KSL, KCPX, and KUTV should also be thanked for their coverage of the Marathon, and a special thanks to Lou Glad-well for his support. A special thanks to the Ogden Standard, and especially to the Weber State Signpost. We would also like to thank FRANKLY SPEAKING Farrell Shepherd, Union Director; Ray Myers, and Mike Stever for supporting this activity. A most special thanks to the studentbody for your interest and support, for without you these activities wouldn't be possible. Last but not least, a thanks to the dancers for your efforts. Ralph Selway Dance Committee Chairman hf Fhil Frank ITS fl OTER UHIQOB CARD-BURNING. BURNING A R) TO M mw mmm n Miami ' |