The heartlands of Maine and the Maritimes have much in common, and if a Canadian-based cable company cannot be dissuaded from its decision to drop a pair of Bangor television stations from its listings, the two regions also will share in the irony that while the electronic medium is helping to bring together former enemies in some parts of the world, it is becoming a shrinking form of information between friends.

If Chamcook Communications Ltd. successfully pursues its objective of dropping WVII-TV (Channel 7), and WABI-TV (Channel 5), in Bangor, in favor of ABC and CBS affiliates out of Detroit, residents served by 28 Maritime cable companies (a market of 300,000 people), will be denied access to news and information from two credible and respected stations in the region.

It is difficult to believe that these Canadian viewers would not prefer to watch network programming on Maine stations that also dispense relevant information, advertising and public service announcements.

Maine should be concerned about this development. The state should bring to bear what influence it can to maintain this important communications link between the two countries. It might also consider a quid pro quo: Much of Central Maine has no access to a Canadian station. Maine should keep its signal strong in Canada, but it needs to bring down CHSJ-TV in Saint John, or a comparable station, to viewers in this part of the state who want the Canadian perspective on the news and matters of regional interest.

Information should flow across the border in both directions.