Deferred Analysis

"Instant analysis" was thrust into the political-journalistic lexicon in 1969, when Spiro Agnew denounced the "querulous criticism" of "self-appointed [network] analysts" who dissected presidential TV addresses immediately after delivery. Only slightly daunted, the three major networks continued the practice. But in a surprise move last week, Chairman William S.

Paley announced that CBS, the network that had most antagonized the White House, will abandon instant analysis.

In its place, Paley said, CBS will schedule special programs to carry views opposed to the President's, usually within a week of a presidential TV or radio speech, "on matters of major policy concerning which there is significant national disagreement."

CBS's explanation was that it had tried for years to balance the President's access to prime tube time with equal opportunity for opposition spokesmen--a need that instant analysis hardly meets.

A 1970 plan to give time to the Democrats for rebuttals to Nixon speeches was challenged by Republicans and ruled unfair by the Federal Communications Commission. CBS waged a successful court fight against the FCC ruling, but by then the "equal time" provisions in force for the 1972 presidential campaign made the plan impractical until after the election.

Another factor in the decision may have been pressure from some CBS local affiliates, which have resented the critical tone of instant analysis. CBS recently canceled the antiwar play Sticks and Bones in response to similar sentiment (TIME, March 19). The latest move prompted some grumbling among CBS correspondents. Although they can still discuss the content of the President's speeches, they will have to do so on the network's regular news programs. But Eric Sevareid, the network's dean of instant analysis, welcomed the change, saying that he had "always been a little uncomfortable" with off-the-cuff punditry. For viewers who like being told what they have just been told, NBC and ABC will continue to comment immediately on presidential speeches whenever they think it necessary.

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