Description:
Christopher Lydon opens a Ten O'Clock News broadcast by reading the day's headlines. Lydon reports that Ronald Reagan (US President) has spoken out against the movement for a nuclear freeze, but would consider talks with the Soviet Union to reduce nuclear arms. Christy George reports that the five defendants charged in the William Atkinson case have pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. George notes that Atkinson died after the defendants allegedly chased him onto the MBTA tracks at the Savin Hill MBTA station. The report includes footage of the five defendants in the courtroom with John Kiernan (Assistant District Attorney, Suffolk County). George interviews Francine Atkinson (sister of William Atkinson), David Venator (United Church of Christ), and Joseph Feaster (President, Boston NAACP) about the case. Venator says that the defendants should be charged with civil rights violations. Lydon reads local news headlines. Lydon reports that John Williams (former political coordinator for Mayor Kevin White) was sentenced to three years in prison for extortion; that George Collatos (former employee of the Boston Redevelopment Authority) has also been found guilty on federal charges of bribe-taking. Charles Bennett reports that World Airways has filed suit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Massport, citing their responsibility in the crash of a World Airways jet at Logan Airport in January. Bennett notes that World Airways is seeking $75 million in damages from the FAA and Massport. Bennett's report includes footage of James Meehan (attorney, World Airways) and William Coleman (Massport Director of Aviation) talking about the case. Janet Wu reports that Kevin White (Mayor, City of Boston) has agreed to support an MBTA request for $14 million in return for a fare reduction and the restoration of bus and trolley service in Boston; that local mayors and selectmen are angry at White and James O'Leary (MBTA General Manager) for making a private agreement. Wu notes that the MBTA Advisory Board is skeptical of O'Leary's request for $14 million in additional funds. Wu's reports includes footage of MBTA Advisors John Weaver, Bernice Staller, and George Collela speaking at an MBTA Advisory Board meeting. Lydon reads international headlines. Lydon reports on peace talks in Jerusalem led by Lord Peter Carrington (Head, European Economic Community). Owen Paterson reports from Iran on the war between Iraq and Iran. Michael Buerk reports from San Salvador on the elections in El Salvador. Buerk notes that the winners have not been decided; that the right-wing ARENA party is claiming victory. Lydon interviews Anthony Lewis (New York Times columnist), who has recently returned from the Middle East, about Israeli policy in the West Bank. Callie Crossley reports that a study by the New England Journal of Medicine has published a study on the effects of the combined use of Valium and oral contraceptives. Crossley's report includes footage from an interview with Dr. Darrell Abernathy (Tufts University School of Medicine)
14:11:32: The Ten O'Clock News opening credits roll. Christopher Lydon reports on the weather and reads the headlines. Lydon reports that Ronald Reagan (US President) has spoken out against the movement for a nuclear freeze; that Reagan has stated that he would consider talks with the Soviet Union over the summer to reduce nuclear arms. Visual: Footage of Reagan saying that the US must not rush into arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union; that Henry Jackson (US Senator) and John Warner (US Senator) and Bill Carney (US Congressman) have led the arms control movement in the legislature; that the US will continue to seek realistic arms control measures. Lydon reports that Leonid Brezhnev (leader of the Soviet Union) is in poor health; that unofficial rumors of his hospitalization are circulating.
14:14:07: Weather forecast
14:14:47: Lydon reports that manslaughter charges have been filed against five men held responsible for the death of William Atkinson (Boston resident). Lydon introduces Christy George's report on the case. George reports that all five men pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; that an extra count of assault and battery was lodged against Paul MacGregor. V: Footage of defendants MacGregor, Edward Tuffo, Francis Devin, William Joyce, and Michael Nowacki in the courtroom. Shots of each defendant; of John Kiernan (Assistant District Attorney, Suffolk County) addressing the court. George reviews the bail amounts set for each defendant. George reports that Joyce is serving a suspended sentence for a racial incident at Savin Hill MBTA Station last year. George reports that Atkinson and his white friend William Grady were accosted by the defendants near the Savin Hill MBTA station last year; that Atkinson was chased on to the MBTA tracks. V: Shots of the exterior of the Savin Hill Station; of the train tracks at the station. Footage of Kiernan saying that Atkinson fled from his pursuers along the train tracks; that Atkinson was struck by a train and died. Footage of Francine Atkinson (sister of William Atkinson) saying that she is not satisfied with the manslaughter trial; that the defendants intended to harm her brother; that she has little faith in the justice system. George reports that some white Dorchester residents said that the charges against the defendants should have included violations of the state's civil rights statute. George notes that the statute has only been invoked eleven times with two convictions. V: Footage of Reverend David Venator (United Church of Christ) saying that the state could have pushed for charges on the grounds of civil rights violations. Footage of Joseph Feaster (President, Boston NAACP) saying that the state could have pushed for a charge of murder against the defendants. George reports that the state needs to prove that malice was intended in order to charge the defendants with second degree murder.
14:17:55: Lydon reads local news headlines. Lydon reports that John Williams (former political coordinator for Mayor Kevin White) was sentenced to three years in prison for extortion; that Williams pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe from Anthony D'Alesandro (real estate developer); that George Collatos (former employee of the Boston Redevelopment Authority) has also been found guilty on federal charges of bribe-taking.
14:18:34: Lydon reports that World Airways has filed suit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Massport, citing their responsibility in the crash of a World Airways jet at Logan Airport in January. He introduces a report by Charles Bennett. Bennett reports that World Airways has been sued by Kenneth Silva (World Airways passenger), a passenger on the jet which crashed in January. Bennett adds that World Airways wants Massport and the FAA to assume any damages awarded to Silva or other passengers. V: Shot of the cover page of the Silva complaint against World Airways. Footage of James Meehan (attorney for World Airways) saying that Massport should have closed the airport due to deteriorating runway conditions on the night of the crash; that the FAA did not communicate crucial information concerning the runway conditions to the crew of the World Airways plane; that Massport and the FAA are equally responsible for the collision. Bennett reports that World Airways is seeking $75 million in damages from Massport and the FAA. V: Shot of the scene of the crash of the World Airways jet. The jet is split in half, lying in shallow, icy water. Footage of William Coleman (Massport Aviation Director) saying that Massport was not negligent; that the runway was sufficiently maintained on the night of the crash. Bennett reports that the claims could take up to three years to resolve in court.
14:21:01: Lydon reads more local headlines. Lydon reports that the Boston City Council approved another version of the Tregor Bill; that the new draft eliminates City Council approval of the mayor's quarterly budget allotments; that the new draft reduces the number of City Council votes needed to approve the sale of city property; that the bill must be passed by the Massachusetts State Legislature and signed into law by Ed King (Governor of Massachusetts).
14:21:28: Lydon reports that Kevin White (Mayor, City of Boston) has agreed to support an MBTA request for $14 million in return for a fare reduction and the restoration of bus and trolley service in Boston; that local mayors and selectmen are angry at White and James O'Leary (MBTA General Manager). He introduces Janet Wu's report. Wu reports that there is controversy surrounding O'Leary's request for $14 million in additional funds; that mayors in the 79 MBTA communities want strict spending controls written into law before approving funds. V: Shots of O'Leary at the MBTA Advisory Board meeting; of other attendees at the meeting; of the Massachusetts State Legislature in session; of commuters on the MBTA green line. Wu reports that the Massachusetts State Legislature cannot put legislation on the books before July; that the MBTA needs money now. Wu notes that the MBTA advisory board questions how much money O'Leary needs in order to improve service. Wu reports that John Weaver (MBTA advisor from Holbrook) has complained of $700,000 worth of unnecessary expenditures for advertising. V: Footage of Weaver at the advisory board meeting, saying that improvements in service are worth more than advertising; that commuters will spread the word if service is improved. Footage of Bernice Staller (MBTA advisor from Norwood) at the meeting, saying that word of mouth destroyed the MBTA; that word of mouth will bring commuters back. Wu reports that White's private agreement with the MBTA management angered MBTA advisors. V: Footage of George Colella (MBTA advisor from Revere) at the meeting, saying that White rarely attends advisory board meetings and is unwilling to work with the board; that the other advisors deserve to know the facts about White's agreement with O'Leary. Footage of O'Leary saying that he has tried his best to communicate with the advisory board and with the City of Boston; that the City of Boston pays 40% of the MBTA deficit. Collela accuses O'Leary of offering "quid pro quos" to White. O'Leary denies the accusation. Wu stands near turnstiles in an MBTA station. She reports that the finance committee of the MBTA Advisory Board will submit a budget of less than $8 million; that the City of Boston will support a $14 million budget. Wu notes that the administration of Ed King (Governor of Massachusetts) must work to gather enough support for the $14 million dollar budget.
14:24:50: Stock report: the Dow Jones average shown at 822.77; the New York Exchange shown at 43,300,000.
14:25:30: Lydon reads international headlines. Lydon reports that today was the deadline for Israeli civilians to leave the occupied Sinai territory, before its return to Egypt. Lydon reports that there were disturbances on the Israeli-occupied West Bank today. V: Footage of Lord Peter Carrington and other officials entering a building in Jerusalem. Lydon reports that Lord Carrington (Head, European Economic Community) is in Jerusalem for peace talks; that the European Economic Community (EEC) has condemned Israeli policy in the occupied territories; that Israel has called the EEC condemnation a distortion of the facts. Lydon reports that Iraq is trying to recover from a harsh defeat at the hands of Iran after an eight-day battle in the Persian Gulf War; that Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq) met with King Hussein of Jordan to discuss how to stop Iranian advances.
14:26:58: Lydon introduces a report by Owen Paterson in Khuzestan, Iran. Paterson reports that Iranian soldiers scored a decisive victory over Iraq; that the fighting was vicious. V: Footage of Iranian soldiers in a destroyed village. Paterson notes that the Iraqi Fourth Army has withdrawn inside its border for the first time since the beginning of the war; that Iranian soldiers have captured a major communications base. V: Footage of Iranian soldiers celebrating their victory at the communications base. Shots of the communications base. Paterson reports that the Iranians claim to have captured 15,000 Iraqis and claim to have regained more than 2,000 square kilometers of ground. Paterson reports that intelligence shows Iraqi invading forces to be at the point of collapse; that Iranian forces have captured a large oil field. V: Footage of Iranian soldiers moving along a road; of Iranian soldiers riding in captured Iraqi tanks. Paterson reports that Iran is using the victory as a propaganda tool; that Iran has invited foreign journalists to cover the story. V: Shots of the dead bodies of Iraqi soldiers lying on the battlefield. Paterson reports that Saddam Hussein has told his troops not to despair.
14:28:38: Lydon reports that El Salvador's right-wing parties are preparing to form a ruling coalition after winning a majority of seats in the legislative assembly. V: Footage of Reagan at a press conference. Sam Donaldson (reporter) asks Reagan if the US will support a right-wing government in El Salvador. Reagan says that the US government is watching the situation; that he hopes the new government in El Salvador will continue to support reform. Lydon reports that the right-wing parties have not spoken out about US-backed land reform. Lydon introduces a report by Michael Buerk in San Salvador. Buerk says that the winners of the El Salvador elections have not been decided. Buerk notes that the right-wing parties have already held their victory celebrations. V: Footage of election officials sitting in front of a large board with election results. Footage of supporters of the right-wing ARENA party celebrating in the street. Buerk reports that the ARENA party claims to have the support of smaller parties; that Roberto d'Aubuisson (ARENA leader) may become the next leader of the country; that d'Aubuisson is a former National Guard interrogator and has been described as a "pathological killer." Buerk notes that d'Aubuisson wants to give the El Salvadorean army greater support in fighting the guerillas. V: Footage of d'Aubuisson addressing the crowd. Footage of a d'Aubuisson supporter. Buerk says that the Christian Democratic Party is in a weakened position. V: Footage of Julio Rey Prendes (Christian Democratic Party spokesman) warning of a civil war. Shots of El Salvadorans farming the land. Buerke reports that a right-wing government will probably end the land reform program sponsored by the Christian Democrats and backed by the US government; that the right-wing parties prefer military solutions over social solutions. V: Shots of El Salvadoran peasants and farmers. Buerke notes that the right-wing parties have the support of wealthy landowners.
14:31:54: WGBH promotion for This Old House with Bob Vila.
14:32:37: Lydon interviews Anthony Lewis (New York Times columnist), who has recently returned from the Middle East. Lewis says that he is worried for the future of Israel; that Israel's policy in the West Bank is irrational and could lead to disaster. Lydon asks how Lewis's opinions were received in Israel. Lewis says that there are Israelis who disagree with their country's actions in the West Bank; that there has been a revival of the Peace Now movement, to demonstrate against Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Lewis says that the Labor party lacks leadership; that the Israeli left lacks a strong political voice. Lydon asks if Israel is undermining Palestinians who might be willing to enter into peace talks. Lewis mentions a Palestinian mayor who was fired by Israeli occupying forces; that Israeli occupying forces are trying to push elected mayors out of office; that Reagan has erroneously referred to the mayors as being appointed. Lewis says that the mayors are a threat to Israel because they are highly political and they believe in the Palestinian cause. Lewis says that some Palestinians believe that Israel would rather deal with radical figures against whom it can fight; that Israel does not support the leadership of reasonable Palestinian leaders who might recognize the State of Israel in return for recognition of the rights of the Palestinians.
14:37:54: Sports scores: Boston Celtics beat Washington, 119 - 109; other NBA scores.
14:38:10: Lydon introduces a report by Callie Crossley. Crossley reports that the New England Journal of Medicine has published a study on the effects of the combined use of Valium and oral contraceptives. V: Shots of Valium pills; of birth control pills; of the report in the New England Journal of Medicine. Footage of women and men walking on the street. Crossley reports that the study was conducted by the Tufts University School of Medicine; that Valium will remain longer in the system of women who also take oral contraceptives. V: Footage of Dr. Darrell Abernathy (Tufts University School of Medicine) saying that chronic use of the two drugs together will lead to the accumulation of valium in the body. Crossley says that the birth control pill is the most popular form of contraception in the US; that valium is the fourth most commonly prescribed drug; that scientist assume that many women are using the drugs at the same time. V: Footage of Crossley interviewing Abernathy. Abernathy says that some patients will develop a tolerance to the effects of Valium. Crossley reports that Abernathy is not warning of dire consequences for women who use both medications; that Abernathy is looking at the effects of other drugs when used together. Crossley notes that Abernathy suggests that patients and doctors monitor the dosage levels of the drugs when used together. V: Shots of Valium pills and birth control pills.
14:40:28: Lydon closes the newscast. Closing credits roll.
Date Created:
03/31/1982
