In her recent column “Subject to Change,” Amy Horowitz made a number of observations and assertions about the current state of TV news (many of which I agree with) and about the teaching of journalism here at BU. Specifically, she expressed disappointment about a course I teach in the history of American journalism (COM JO 357).

Ms. Horowitz seems to feel that I dwelt at excessive length on 19th-century topics, while slighting the career of broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. The decision to emphasize certain historical periods in the 300-year sweep of U.S. journalism is a matter of judgment, about which Ms. Horowitz and I evidently disagree, which is fine. But the following are matters of fact. In my course, Murrow is featured in the major textbook and in the custom course pack of readings I assembled. His voice was heard in the classroom through audio tapes of his London broadcasts that I played, his career in radio and television was featured in two of my lectures, his legacy was cited generously in the remarks of a guest lecturer who is an expert on broadcast journalism and he was the focus of a question on the final exam.

Edward R. Murrow was indeed a significant figure in journalism history, and I am pleased to report that he enjoys a correspondingly prominent position in our curriculum.

Chris Daly Associate Professor of Journalism College of Communication