Cbs, Abc & Cpsc Vs. Atvs: Bs On Tv

EDITORIAL

CBS, ABC & CPSC vs. ATVs: BS on TV

JENNINGS’ COROLLARY SAYS IT BEST: “If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of.”

If you happened to catch CBS's 60 Minutes this past April 12, you saw that little nugget of fractured philosophy put to work on prime-time network television. But there was nothing even remotely humorous about this particular use of Jennings’ wit; it was part of yet another attack of allterrain vehicles by TV “newsmagazines.” In April of 1985, ABC's 20/ 20 performed a similar hatchet job in response to the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s newly launched investigation into ATV safety. And ABC did a follow-up segment on its Nightly News this past March.

All of those programs had more in common than just ATVs: They took the ideal of unbiased, open-minded journalism and pitched it right out the window. It seemed as though the people responsible for the content of the programs decided right from the get-go that ATVs were unforgivably dangerous vehicles; so rather than presenting a balanced point of view, they instead acted more like agents of the CPSC, digging and probing only for evidence that would support the Commission’s contention that ATVs are the greatest menace to society since The Plague.

There’s not nearly enough room here for a rundown of all the errors of commission and omission that these shows comprised; suffice it to say that they were many and varied—and, I might add, inexcusable for giant networks who allege to revere The Truth above all else.

In the absence of evidence, for example, 60 Minutes tried to back its claims by playing to the viewer’s sympathies. After numerous allegations about the instability of ATVs, host Ed Bradley submitted as “proof” of that instability the human suffering caused by ATV accidents. The cameras took us into emergency rooms where injured ATV riders were being treated, and to interviews with the distraught families of children who had been hurt or killed on ATVs.

Heart-wrenching stuff, to be sure, but certainly not proof of ATV instability. And just as 20/20 had done, 60 Minutes ignored the fact that some of the featured “victims” had disregarded the warnings clearly posted in the owner’s manuals and on the vehicles themselves by riding double, by not wearing a helmet, or by riding without proper parental supervision.

Even more ludicrous was CBS’ attempt to offer visible proof of ATV instability by staging a demonstration in which an unsuspended threewheeler flipped end-over-end after passing over two bumps. Not only did the rider shift his weight forward to increase his chances of doing an endo, but his ATV began the demonstration with its front fork already bent rearward. That caused the front tire to ram the engine and stop turning when it hit the second bump, practically guaranteeing an endo.

But while these and other flagrant breaches of truth-in-reporting ethics did irreparable damage to the ATV industry, you might, as a typical reader of this magazine, ask why you should care. After all, motorcycles are your main interest, not ATVs. But there’s no denying that ATVs and motorcycles are of the same industry; indeed, the recent ATV sales boom has allowed many a motorcycle dealership—and a couple of motorcycle manufacturers—to keep their doors open during some otherwise catastrophic financial times.

Most of all, though, you should care because your future as a motorcyclist may be hanging in the balance. The CPSC’s investigationwhich gained much public and governmental sympathy as a result of its exposure on prime-time television— has led the Commission to pursue a recall of all three-wheeled ATVs, and of threeand four-wheelers designed for use by anyone under the age of 16. If that recall attempt is successful, a precedent of unfathomable proportions will have been set. Because if a governmental agency can declare that a threeor four-wheeler is not stable enough for use by the general public, it would be quite easy to prove a /vco-wheeler even more unstable. You don’t need much imagination to get the picture.

Some people think a fitting response to 60 Minutes'' attack is to boycott all CBS-owned magazines, this one included. But while that certainly is everyone’s privilege, it would have no effect on the problem. Even if enough people stopped buying CYCLE WORLD tO put US OUt of business, the news department at CBS would not be affected in the least. Aside from the fact that .we both get paychecks with the CBS eye printed on them, there is no more connection between CBS Magazines and CBS News than there is between CBS Magazines and ABC News.

Instead, if you really want to do something positive, sit down and write. Write to Don Hewitt, Executive Producer of 60 Minutes, and bitterly complain about his treatment of ATVs. Threaten to boycott the program’s advertisers. Write your congressmen, both state and federal, and tell them of the injustices of the CPSC’s findings. And if you haven’t already done so, join the American Motorcyclist Association. No, we’re not moonlighting as sales reps for the guys in Westerville; but if everyone who reads this would join the AMA, that organization, shortcomings and all, might finally have enough funding to mount a serious anti-legislation effort. It would be well worth the 20 bucks to find out.

Based on rider reaction to crises that have threatened motorcycling in years past, however, such a unanimous show of support is not likely to happen. And that’s sad news, because there has never been a bigger threat to the sport than this one.

Apparently, the people behind that threat think we’re fools who need their help because we’re either too stupid or too apathetic to help ourselves. For God's sake, let’s not prove them right. —Paul Dean