White conservatives took point on television programming and you may information publicity that they stated inspired Ebony protests and poisoned race connections for the this new Southern. When you look at the 1960, instance, Petersburg, Virginia, entrepreneur Remmie Arnold, chairman of one’s Remmie Arnold Pen Co., Inc., objected to an NBC system transmitted toward April tenth and you will managed of the Chet Huntley. Arnold called the system “terrifying” just like the “it had been place more in ways you to definitely” it provided “instructions on the dissenters of one’s coloured race.” Arnold wrote right to Robert Sarnoff, chairman out-of NBC, and you can desired Huntley and you may NBC newsmen to help you “can be found in this new Southern and view what is going on.” The guy warned Sarnoff you to definitely “a campaign” is started “using best avenues . . . to exclude like shows as these afterwards.” Arnold sent a duplicate regarding his letter so you’re able to NBC to help you Virginia Governor J. ” 31 Remmie Arnold so you’re able to J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., April 13, 1960. Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., Government Institution Paperwork, Checklist Category step 3, Library of Virginia.
In the event that specific south politicians was in fact providing point in the television ultimately and you may specific people were expressing physically their disdain needless to say broadcasts, particular south sheriffs were a lot more head.