On the wrong tack?
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MANY of the criticisms which we levelled against the recent BBC Brass Tacks programme can be directed with equal relevance against your leader, CM February 25.
We accused the BBC of poor and biased research, of taking Items out of context and above all of a totally negative and detructive attitude towards a many-sided problem. Sir, in your haste to castigate transport industry spokesmen you have fallen into the same trap.
We are all incensed over the biased, inaccurate and bigoted reporting employed by the BBC and we have not minced words In saying so. We did our utmost to get the content and balance of the programme changed: I personally argued with the producer for a full hour prior to the programme's transmission. But we in the transport Industry are not alone In seeing at firsthand the power which the media can exertfor good or It is difficult to find anything positive to say about the programme unless its extremism has convinced the doubters in our industry that there are those who will stop at nothing to snipe and obstruct. Against this, histrionics and emotive language count for little, and similarly there was no point in stirring up a hornets' nest of public agitation aimed at the industry. We must discredit the irrational critics with hard fact and positive action.
The trade associations carry particular responsibilities in leading the counter-attack, but it is a task which we all share and one which can only be made more difficult by the "dog eats dig" attitude of your leader. G. TURVEY Director-General Designate, FTA