(单词翻译:单击)
听力原文
The purpose of my remarks tonight is to focus your attention on this little group of men who not only enjoy a right of instant rebuttal to every Presidential address, but, more importantly,wield a free hand in selecting, presenting,and interpreting the great issues in our nation. First, let's define that power.At least 40 million Americans every night, it's estimated, watch the network news. Seven million of them view A.B.C., the remainder being divided between N.B.C. and C.B.S. According to Harris polls and other studies, for millions of Americans the networks are the sole source of national and world news. In Will Roger's observation, what you knew was what you read in the newspaper. Today for growing millions of Americans, it's what they see and hear on their television sets.Now how is this network news determined? A small group of men, numbering perhaps no more than a dozen anchormen, commentators,and executive producers, settle upon the 20minutes or so of film and commentary that's to reach the public. This selection is made from the 90 to 180 minutes that may be available. Their powers of choice are broad.
参考译文
我今天晚上演讲的目的就是引起你们对这一小撮人的注意，他们不仅对任何一位总统的演讲进行反驳，更为严重的是，他们对我们国家的一些重大问题断章取义，歪曲理解。首先让我来说说这种新闻力量的危害性。在美国，每天晚上至少有4000万人在看电视新闻联播，其中700万人看美国广播公司的节目，其余的看全国广播公司或哥伦比亚广播公司的节目。哈里斯民意调查和其他研究结果表明，电视新闻联播是美国数以万计的人民获取国内外消息的唯一来源。那么，电视新闻联播的用意何在？一小撮，也许不会超过12个新闻评论主持人，时事评论员和节目制作人，从90到180分钟的内容里选取制作20分钟左右的节目素材，他们有宽泛的选择余地。
词语解释
1. rebuttal n. 反驳，反证
They made a clause-by-clause rebuttal of the letter.
他们对这封信逐句作了反驳。
2. wield v. 行使，施加
The trade unions were afraid the government would wield a big stick over them.
工会担心政府会采了严厉的措施来对付他们。
3. define v. 规定，定义
Definitions should not be more difficult to understand than the words they define.
词语的定义不应比所解释的词语更难理解。
4. sole a. 独占的，唯一的
The sole redeeming feature of this job is the salary.
这份工作唯其薪水尚可弥补一切之不足。
5. observation n. 观察，观察力
The fault escaped observation (ie was not spotted) for months.
这故障数月来未引起注意。
