To the Editor:
The report by Richard W. Stevenson ("Lights! Camera! Europe!," Feb. 6) tells of the rapid invasion of the European television industry by American entertainment interests as Europe moves away from "state ownership and boring programming to an age of commercial television."
The early developers of radio and television saw them as a means of education that would lead to a more enlightened society. Some European nations have tried to hold to that vision, while the United States has seen these media converted almost entirely to entertainment, serving a marketing objective. But education can scarcely compete with entertainment in attracting viewers, so it is relegated to a minor role.
Apparently nothing satisfies a mass audience as much as sex and violence. Since these are gradually becoming the dominant themes in European television, it may not be long before Europe catches up with the United States in its rate of violent crime. That's real progress. EDWIN W. FELLOWS Zephyrhills, Fla., Feb. 13 The writer is a retired personnel manager for the state of Ohio.
