I’m not certain I’ve got this entirely straight, but isn’t the Neilsen Company, a government contractor, stonewalling the situation?

Apparently the FCC, for whom Neilsen works, isn’t interested in demanding a fix of Neilsen’s mistake of including La Plata and Montezuma counties in the Albuquerque marketing area. The Herald’s claim that “a simple rearrangement is tricky” is wrong. Not only is it easy to do, but the only negative effect is the Albuquerque TV stations will be forced to adjust their advertising rates to reflect a somewhat smaller viewing audience.

Too bad. Where the Herald got the idea that a “valuable chunk of the Albuquerque market would have to be made up” comes from is mystifying and utter nonsense. Face it: Neilsen made a mistake, and it is not willing to fix it.

Clearly, Udall, Bennett, Tipton, even Sen. Ellen Roberts (who really tried), haven’t been able to move the FCC to unwind the Neilsen problem. And Neilsen’s arrogance is palpable – it is neither fixing nor talking. Our frustrating stance is compounded by a distinct lack of leverage. We can’t punish Neilsen by not buying its products. Neilsen has insulated itself and is in a position of not having to address its mistakes unless it chooses to. The FCC could help us by allowing Dish and Direct TV to offer a choice of local market TV. There is a remedy out there.

But the part that really got me was the Herald’s send up of Udall, who has done nothing to help. His explaining the situation is of no consequence and will not gain him any votes. This entire operation, which has now been going on for several years, is like punching a marshmallow – just another example of a big, over-regulated government not responding to the people.

Brian Van Mols

Durango