What do we mean by 'the public interest?' Some say the public interest is merely what interests the public. I disagree.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Public interest is not just what grabs public attention.
- In plain terms
- What people like is not always what benefits them.
- What can you take from it?
- Distinguish between popularity and public good.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who defines the public interest?
- Is popularity a good proxy for public good?
Another view
Public interest often requires difficult choices the public may not want.
More from Newton N. Minow
When television is good, nothing--not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers--nothing is better. But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite y…
Permalink to quote #1 We need imagination in programming, not sterility; creativity, not imitation; experimentation, not conformity; excellence, not mediocrity. Television is filled…
Permalink to quote #3 Sending communications satellites will be much more important than sending man into space because they will send ideas into space. Ideas last longer than men.
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Please note that Wikiquote articles should contain quotations. To contribute encyclopedic information, please go to the corresponding Wikipedia H.D article and…
Hilda DoolittleHilda Doolittle quote #1 Please note that Wikiquote articles should contain quotations. To contribute encyclopedic information, please go to the corresponding Wikipedia Oliver Wendell …
Oliver Wendell, Jr. HolmesOliver Wendell, Jr. Holmes quote #1 The problem of cat versus bird is as old as time. If we attempt to resolve it by legislation who knows but what we may be called upon to take sides as well in …
Adlai StevensonAdlai Stevenson quote #1