Newton N. Minow Quotes

United States, Chairperson
January 17, 1926

Newton Norman "Newt" Minow is an American attorney and former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission. His speech referring to television as a "vast wasteland" is cited even as the speech has passed its 55th anniversary. While still maintaining a law practice, Minow is currently the Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Chicago.

Also known as Attorney At Law

What do we mean by the public interest? Some say the public interest is merely what interests the public. I disagree.

Newton N. Minow
- Public
- Interests
Television is a vast wasteland.

Newton N. Minow
- Television
- Wasteland

I invite you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air . . . and keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that you will observe a great wasteland.

Newton N. Minow
We need imagination in programming, not sterility; creativity, not imitation; experimentation, not conformity; excellence, not mediocrity. Television is filled with creative, imaginative people. You must strive to set them free.

Newton N. Minow
We've gotten to the point where everybody's got a right and nobody's got a responsibility.

Newton N. Minow
- Responsibility
- Right
Children will watch anything, and when a broadcaster uses crime and violence and other shoddy devices to monopolize a child's attention, it's worse than taking candy from a baby. It is taking precious time from the process of growing up.

Newton N. Minow
When television is good, nothing is better. When it's bad, nothing is worse.

Newton N. Minow
- Good
- Bad
- Television