The Press: A Source of Trouble

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In discussing in Parliament last week Anglo-American relations (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS). Conservative M.P. John Jacob Astor pointed to one major source of trouble that he could speak about with authority. Said Major Astor, whose family controls the London Times and Sunday Observer: "I should like to draw attention to ... the completely inadequate space which the British press and the BBC give to American news. Although I appreciate that we have much less space than have the American papers, I believe those responsible for the press in America serve their public a good deal better than the press serves its public here in this respect.

"When one considers the importance of Anglo-American relations, and then looks at the . . . space it gets either on the BBC or in the daily papers, one cannot help thinking that those responsible are not doing justice to the British public."