The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-07-15
Unjust and Superficial Journalism.

One Of the greatest needs Of journal
ism is the more general cultivation Of
truthful writing, intelligently and logi-
cally based on we'll ascertained facts;
writing that is candid, unprecedented and
honest that can be depended on and
can bear close criticism and inspection.
Many of the articles published in
prominent journals are S unfair, illogi-
cal and superficial as to merit the Sc
verest condemnation. Not only does
such writing retard true progress in
journalism as a profession. but it dam
ages public and private interests, calum-
mates the characters and motives Of in.
dividuals, mislead readers, and finally
tends to create in the latter, after they
have found themselves frequently de-
ceived, a general distrust OF all state
ments which they see made in print.
A striking instance of superficial jour-
nalism was shown in the manner in
which many, if not the majority, of the
newspapers of the country discussed the
advance that occurred several months ago
in the prices of paper as it affected the
relations existing between the man.
ufacturers of paper and pub
fishers. Many of these articles con-
tanned little else than v~ituperative state
ments. Without any proof on which to
base the assertion, they boldly charged
that paper manufacturers had formed
themselves into an u%nscrupulous combi-
nation, whose object was to raise the
prices of paper to an e%xorbitant height
and keep them there, regardless of the
interest of publishers and other con-
sumers. They clamored that there was
nc necessity CT any marked advance in
paper, Notwithstanding the fact that the
cost of rags and other materials used in
paper making had notably increased,
and left manufacturers no choice but to
raise their prices, if they would realize
any profit. The writers of such articles
must, in every instance, be held account
able for one or two things. Either they
did not stop to properly investigate all
the bearings relating to their subject,
and did not ascertain the fundamental
facts, from which only could be built a
solid structure Of statement and argu-
ment, or they knew the facts and will
fully ignored or perverted them.
OF course, the large reduction in prof
its which newspaper publishers exper-
fenced from the advanced cost of paper
prejudiced them very strongly against
the paper manufacturers, andif anything
derogatory could be said about the latter
the temptation to publish it was hard to
resist. But it is just here, and in SINH
liar straits, that journalism too often
loses its noblest opportunities for
strengthening itself, and for widening
and deepening its influence. Had all of
the newspapers treated the subject from
an unbiased standpoint, how great would
have been their aggregate gain. Public
confidence in them would have been in
creased, and much admiration expressed
for their course in keeping prejudice re-
pressed for the sake of honesty. AS it
was, the vl%tuperation and misstatements
that were frequently published, for a
time deceived people not intimately &C
quainted with the condition of paper
manufacturing in this country; but, as
is always the case, sooner or later, the
truth became known, and the journals
that had disseminated error fell in the
estimation of intelli GENT readers.
If the careless latitude which is often
taken in journalism were attempted in
business, it would soon bring down
upon its promoters the Indignation of
the whole community. But rs there are
always certain ones who are p~rejudiced,
from personal interest, to view q matter
in the same one-sided way that al I'M
fair journal looks at it, and, indeed, de-
sire an organ that viii grind out for
general diffusion articles that are in har-
mony with their own manner of think
ing, it follows that such a Journal feels
assured hat it will be supported in its
course by a good crowd of hackers, even
if other people do grumble. Thus it is
not to be wondered at that journalists
in many instances fall into the sorry
habit of publishing much that is unre-
liable and superficial.
One thing, however, is certain. Every
cause, no matter what the Indications
in the beginning, will, as it approaches
its elimination, be seen to have been
assisted by everything true that has
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