This letter is in regard to the Nov. 13 letter by Phillip Johnston, if that was his real name.

We communication majors who work at TV-8 do not appreciate unfounded and unsubstantiated criticism by those who propose to be communication majors.

Let us enlighten you about the operations at the Northern Television Center. TV-8 is designed to be a learning environment for those preparing to enter the professional broadcast field.

TV-8 is not, as Phillip Johnston erroneously and sarcastically stated, “hearty TV entertainment.”

Quite the contrary, we have a more sophisticated and complex newscast than most small-market stations.

In a live television environment, mistakes are bound to occur. After all, students attend universities to learn and gain knowledge about their field of interest.

TV-8 is dedicated to serving the DeKalb, Sycamore and NIU communities by providing local news coverage. Election night is probably the most newsworthy night of the year.

To not provide this coverage would be a disservice to the voters of these communities. Before we conclude, we’d like to verify a few items for “Phil”:

If you watch campus cable and own a cable ready TV or VCR, you may receive CNN on Channel 21 uninterrupted, 24 hours a day.

TV-8 has never broadcast an “evening farm report”.

“Phil,” if you have the gall to criticize others, be mature enough to give your full and accurate identity.

We know you do not exist because faculty has determined that there is no “Philip Johnston” declared as a major in the communications department.

In light of this unfortunate incident, we urge The Northern Star to enforce their requirements for letters to the editor by checking author names against the university registration records.

We make this suggestion so people cannot falsify names by using an alias or false claim to major status.

Finally, we invite you, “Phillip Johnston,” or any other member of the public to be our guest at the Northern Television Center to view a live newscast from inside the control room.

Maybe through witnessing what goes on behind the scenes of a live newscast, you might appreciate the hard work and effort of your fellow “communications majors.”

Frank Blake

and other TV-8 News Directors

Communications