Series: The Ten O'Clock News
Date: 1990-09-12
Duration: 00:03:58

Subject: Race relations
People: Bolling, Bruce; Fox, Gloria; Owens, William; Russell, Priscilla Flint; Silber, John; Vaillancourt, Meg;
Geography: Roxbury (Boston, Mass.)|

Clip Description
Meg Vaillancourt reports that John Silber (Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts) held a press conference on a Roxbury street today. Vaillancourt notes that Silber tried to explain his comments during the previous evening's gubernatorial debate, in which he referred to the residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan as "a group of drug addicts." Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Silber making the comment at the debate and footage of Silber at the press conferende in Roxbury. At the press conference, Silber apologizes for hurting anyone's feelings. A group of African American community leaders stand behind him. He adds that there are many responsible citizens in the community. Vaillancourt notes that Silber blamed the media for not attending his speech on crime control on the steps of the Massachusetts State House. Vaillancourt reports that the press conference changed tone when Silber got into a hostile argument with Priscilla Flint Russell (Roxbury resident). Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Silber and Russell arguing about the prosecution of drug criminals. Vaillancourt reports that Bruce Bolling (Boston City Council), Gloria Fox (State Representative) and other Roxbury community leaders held a press conference today at which they condemned Silber for his comments. Vaillancourt's report includes footage of Bolling and Fox speaking at the press conference. Vaillancourt's report includes footage from interviews with Roxbury residents about Silber.

This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item:
Marcus Jones reports on negative media coverage of the Roxbury community
Media coverage of the Roxbury neighborhood

Series Description
A local program aimed at the Boston audience, The Ten O'Clock News debuted on January 15, 1976. Its two immediate predecessors were The Reporters and Evening Compass. A news and public affairs show focusing on neighborhood, local and state issues, The Reporters was produced and broadcast on WGBH from 1970 to 1973. The Reporters was then replaced by Evening Compass, which expanded into a twice-nightly news broadcast during the tense moments of Boston's busing crisis. On the air from 1973 to 1975, Evening Compass found an audience through its in-depth coverage of school desegregation in Boston, which began in 1974. The Ten O'Clock News stood out as an in-depth news program. It strove for a balance between local and national stories, between politics and the Arts. The last The Ten O'Clock News program was broadcast on May 30, 1991.

See also: http://main.wgbh.org/ton/programs/7517_01