
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994                    TAG: 9406240021 
SECTION: COMMENTARY                     PAGE: J4    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940626                                 LENGTH:

STOP NEGLECTING THE NEWS

{LEAD} It is very difficult to comprehend your rationale for replacing newsworthy world events on the front page of Saturday's and Sunday's Virginian Pilot and Ledger-Star with a story about an accused murderer. What about former President Carter's peace initiative with North Korea which may have prevented a nuclear conflict, or the continued killings in Rwanda? Furthermore, I resent you labeling O.J. Simpson ``an American hero.'' I suggest you first determine the definition of hero and then tell us what heroic acts he performed.

The New York Times, which undoubtedly is the most liberal paper in the country, devoted a portion of two front-page columns and completed the story with three-quarters of a page on Page 20. Your paper devoted the first 17 pages between Saturday and Sunday to an ordinary criminal. Such crimes occur daily in this country, sometimes even in Hampton Roads, and they do not warrant such coverage.

{REST} Maybe John A. Barnes should be placed in complete charge of the paper instead of just the editorial page.

THEODORE D. GALANIDES

Norfolk, June 21, 1994 by CNB