American press not free continued from page 2 range of Canadian radio and television broadcasting, gave me the opportunity to experience news media of different countries and so provided a means of study ing their differences. Quite often, I learned that I could get more in depth information on what was happening in the US by listening to the Canadian broadcasts than I - could listening .to the American networks. Recently a member of the facul ty expressed her surprise to me upon her own discovery that the radio news media censored an im portant story that made the top news of the hour the night before on the BBC (of London) . . While not omitting the story, the greatly understated its importance by burying it . under four minutes of airtime, "which is an enternity in American broadcasting." But what has this to do with the American Press? The way I see it, everything! To understand how the government censors the media we have to look at two things, the material which is being censored and the media itself. First of all let me say that I'm not at all implying that the government has an intervention with the editors of news, nor do Beirut: Crisis In Perspective By: Michael 3. Coursey Alb Professor Z. Irwin With heightening tensions in Beirut, the streets littered with carnage, spent shells and massive amounts of rubble; one would wonder if the civil war there will ever end. American, European, Isreali and Arab officials have all met or discussed the problems there with no solution yet in sight. The resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan and the rest of the Cabinet have compounded the negotian pro blems. Along with loosening the grip of President Geniayel over whatever loyal citizens he has left. Taking this into consideration, I sought out someone, who could clarify the jumbled reports and misconceptions coming out of Beirut. I sought out the opinion of Assistant Political Science Pro fesor, Dr. Zachary Irwin. Although not taking an altogether popular stand, Dr. Ir win believes that -there were significant reasons for the deploy ment- of the multi-national force in Beirut. In accordance with this they strike lines from copy or ap prove of copy to be printed. They don't have to, the government is too clever for that. The govern ment censors the news media by controling the material which is released to the press. In effect, we know what they want us to know and no more. Most often the material which is most closely censored is that material pertaining to bad news, or news which the government is at fault. The example mentioned above pertained to the death toll estimate on American soldiers in the Granada invasion. Secondly, the media make this process easy because the general, everyday press releases (contrary to the huge press conferences we see on TV) are given to only a handful of sources, the three TV networks: NBC, ABC and CBS; and the two press sources: AP and UPI. I hope this letter helps to open some peoples eyes. If you find it greatly discouraging, at least you know that if you really want to know whats going on you can always get a short-wave radio and listen to the BBC. Yours freely, Thomas Milley he believes the reformation of Lebanon into a stable government is not as hopeless as it appears. The resignation of "key members" of the Gemayel Government surprised Dr. Irwin and he likewise believed President Reagan was also surprised. The resignation, compounded by the withdrawal of the Multi-National Forces will probably cause utter chaos in Beirut, with more death and destruction to follow. When asked about the troop withdrawal, he replied it was a good Political move for Reagan to withdraw the U.S. Marines. Which would require the United Nations Forces to take over responsibility for assisting Lebanon. Hopefully, the battle scarred Marine Amphibious Unit can return stateside soon for a much deserved rest. The U.S. Marines have taken the most casualties since arrving 16 months ago of any other peacekeeping force. The Marines, assigned to a highly vulnerable position are shelled almost daily, in their somewhat futile attempt to bring pe.ace to the warring factions. Dr. Irwin also felt that the U.S.S.R. doesn't have any real plans for gaining control of Lebanon through the • Syrians, even though the Syrians use Rus sian made weaponry. The thought of aggressivly forcing the Syrians out of Lebanon, with combined forces didn't seem, to -Dr. Irwin, the most politically advantageous solution . for-the United States. Dr. Irwin doesn't believe the situation is hopeless. He believes with concessions from both sides of the political spectrum a relative peace can be obtained. BEHREND COLLEGIAN "Can We Talk Here?" BY: Lisa Pavadore "Can We Talk Here..." It has suddenly dawned on me that I am not quite sure why I am in college. Being from out of state, I am paying twice as much for the same education received by in -staters, which is the most basic rip-off that has happened to me. When I really think about it, I am paying thousands of dollars to stand in line for courses I never get, stand in line for food that moves across the plate, and learn the real meaning of terms I will never use once the test is over. In The Library By: Sharyn Phillips The Library is a great place to cram, jam, hide, read, research, and keep up with the world. For instance, in the second floor study area are carrels that help concentration with built in binders (three walls on the carrel) and absolute quiet. On the first floor to the left of the entrance are rooms that can be used for study ing. The abstract room has three walls covered by abstracts and a fourth wall that is blank with a nice solid door. The conference (or seminar) room, although reserved at specific times, has a table and chairs to work at and a window if you don't want to shut the world out completely. In the regular stacks (watch out, some go around the corners), are records. There are classical plays (Greek and Shakespearian), modern plays (George Bernard Shaw and others) and even "Joseph and The Amazing Probably solutions to the civil war in Beirut are withdrawal of Isreali troops, followed with the pulling back of the Syrians. In ad dition, substantial peace talks plus a guiding hand from the United States and Western Europe in set ting up a competent, effective government. Dr. Irwin concluded that his main hope was that the ser vicemen and civilians that lost their lives in Beirut weren't lost in vain. New York Times, February 7,1984 I would like to know how many people feel they are getting a great education, and how many come to college for the at mosphere. College is one big ex pensive assembly line. Get those kids in here, take their money, and have 'em work like hell for a piece of paper that nowadays won't get them a job unless they have connections, or like flipp ing hamburgers. Maybe the fact that a person with a degree will get a job before the person without the degree is enough to enroll in an institution of higher education. And what about course re- Technicolor Dreamcoat"; poetry recordings, talking books, and vocal recordings; instrumentals, operas, and concerts classical and not so classical. Behind the circulation desk are tapes on which actors James Mason, E.G. Marshal, Michael York, and others read from dif ferent books. These records and tapes can be borrowed for the usual three weeks. Play scripts on three-day reserve, also have to be asked for from the counter attendant. Everyone needs a place to be alone at times, and the Library provides just the solitary spots one may need. There are two or three chairs tucked away in quiet, lonely areas of the stacks for reading or thought. Reading, reading, such fun is reading—if not an assignment. The browsing section (all those popular books just for enjoy ment) is now on a table in front of the reference section. Some issues of current journals and magazines are next to the card catalog, but the rest are in the regular stacks where students can find them on their own. Telephone books shelved with the newspapers, give the phone numbers for Los Angeles, Houston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York, or Chicago. Newspapers from Philadelphia, New York City, Cleveland, Washington, and Erie are on the rack dating from the quirements? When I go to a newspaper for an interview, are they going to care if I took Ten nis and- Volleyball? I wonder. Does college, in fact, prepare students for the real world? I won't attempt to answer that question. What really bothers me, is that with all the complaining about college, and the money, time, and effort it consumes, I know that I will get a summer job so I can pay to sit in a dorm next year and complain of the same things. One and a half semesters down, six and a half to go. Onward and upward... last month or two and can keep anyone abreast of current events. Anyone who has had time to play with the new card catalog ter minals knows how to fend books and journals without flipping through the card catalog or sliding through the corn catalog. The reference stacks are still reliably in the same place as always and can still speak about anything from science, to literature, to art and theater, to history, to health, to law, to periodic indexes, or learning about a city to move to. For all the future lawyers, politicians, and citizens in our midst the Con gressional Records from January 1977 to the present are on the wall behind the reference stacks. Last of all is the photocopy room, where not only can we make copies of the notes we miss ed, but copy the articles we have more time to devour at home. (How did students manage without it?) But, stand at the photocopy machine and turn around. Surprise! Microfilm copies of The New York runes all the way back to 1851 and the Erie Times back to 1878; and the Library of American Civilization fiche with all aspects of American history from home life, to literature and art, to war. The Library staff is there to answer your questions from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Psych club Winner Announced A contest was held this week by the Psychology Club to benefit the Hospitality House in Erie, a shelter for abused women and children. The object of the contest was to guess how many hearts were in the jar and the prize was a steak din ner for two in the Memorial Room of the Administration Building. Approximately ten faculty members offered their restaurant expertise in serving the meal. The winner of the contest was Heintzel and his waiters for the evening will be our own Drs. Paul Rosenfeld and Eva Tucker. Try not to harass the help, Bill! PAGE 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers