1972 Fredericton Encaenia
Alumni Oration
Delivered by: Camp, Dalton
Content
"Camp Says TV Has 'Changed Politics'" Telegraph Journal (22 May 1972). (UA Case 67a, Box 2)
In 1947, Dalton Camp, former president of the national Conservative Party, was valedictorian at the University of New Brunswick graduation exercise.
Saturday night he returned to UNB to address his old class and many others at the 1972 annual dinner of the UNB Alumni Association at Lady Dunn Hall.
Life style on campus has changed, he told more than 400 guests, at the dinner. Student at university now live in a "free open communal society. I have no doubt that this is a marvellous thing," Mr. Camp said. "The only doubt I have is if I could have endured it."
Speaking about the changed television has had on society, he said this media has "transfigured the political system" and weakened the role of political parties.
"Television has profoundly broadened the degree of participation in the political process. It oversimplifies decision and makes slogans out of serious issues."
Citing Lyndon B. Johnson, former president of the United States, as an example of one politician who had been adversely affected by television, Mr. Camp said Mr. Johnson was driven from office because the American people rebelled against Vietnam. "They got tired of watching it in their rooms," he said.
"If not for television, the war could have been hidden from public view for a longer period of time."
In 1947, Dalton Camp, former president of the national Conservative Party, was valedictorian at the University of New Brunswick graduation exercise.
Saturday night he returned to UNB to address his old class and many others at the 1972 annual dinner of the UNB Alumni Association at Lady Dunn Hall.
Life style on campus has changed, he told more than 400 guests, at the dinner. Student at university now live in a "free open communal society. I have no doubt that this is a marvellous thing," Mr. Camp said. "The only doubt I have is if I could have endured it."
Speaking about the changed television has had on society, he said this media has "transfigured the political system" and weakened the role of political parties.
"Television has profoundly broadened the degree of participation in the political process. It oversimplifies decision and makes slogans out of serious issues."
Citing Lyndon B. Johnson, former president of the United States, as an example of one politician who had been adversely affected by television, Mr. Camp said Mr. Johnson was driven from office because the American people rebelled against Vietnam. "They got tired of watching it in their rooms," he said.
"If not for television, the war could have been hidden from public view for a longer period of time."
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