ABSTRACT
The embrace of television, as described in the previous chapter, is not highly vocal. Its occurrence in our society is expressed in the act of watching television and in occasional letters to program booklets. Much more apparent on the American scene are the protests and criticisms levied against the medium. These negative attitudes are able to achieve their more manifest expression because, being protests, they carry more energy toward being heard. Also, they are attitudes held most prominently by people who have the voice and influence to gain access to magazines, newspapers, and conferences. Third, they are given this access because television is considered a legitimate object of critical review. Outbursts against the medium are more newsworthy than is praise, making it difficult to distinguish how much of their public visibility is due to the fact that newspapers and magazines are in competition with television.
