The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-04-26
independent journalism /.

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as necessary to modern journal as
to a new nationality. Just what
independence " in journalism
means it would be hard to say.
In one sense every man who runs
a printing machine is at liberty to
print Just what he chooses, Just as
4 grocer is free to keep tainted
fish if he likes and his customers
free to buy elsewhere. This
independent" journalism in the
abstract means to be ''independent''
of public opinion and public sup
port, to have IN idea and to advo-
cate it without any regard to the
influence it NAV exert on the sale
list or subscription book. Such a
journal was Garrison's Liberator
and the Anti Slavery Standard of
generation ago; and such is
every periodical that is founded
and conducted for the purpose of
advertising particular thought,
principle or interest. In this
sense, an avowedly Democratic
paper in Vermont or straight-out
Republican paper in South Caro-
lima, is the most ''independent
paper on tire globe. They are
maintained simply and solely for
the purpose Of disseminating
certain doctrines, and this thew
do without regard to consequences
to the circulation!
Such special-ides journals are
great public educators. Paper
pellets, if thrown long enough and
with enough self-forgetfulness,
will battle down any Gibraltar OF
error They may aud do shape
and control public thought. Be
ing Independent of their readers
they are free to advocate what
their conductors believe, without
reference to the succe-s of the
journal.
In its present aeceptation, how.
ever. independent" journalism is
the very reverse of this To be
independent now, it is claimed
is 10 be without party, without
sect, without aim, except to secure
and hold circulation; TO be il
short ''business" journal, which
may he on one side to-day and m
another to- morrow, as its conduc
tors may see ft to change or hi.
opinions may vary.
Yet independent " as now used
does not mean free from bias. The
journal that most loudly proclaim'
It's independence is HOT unfre
Guently noticeable for lis intens'
,partlsanship. No one is m,sled by
the use Of the term, because no on,
attributes to II ANY significance a
all. Ii is expected that religion
Journal that proclaims Itself "inde
pendent of sect viii be "a lttl
narrower and more bigoted thal
one that nails It's colors to tn
mast, lest some one shout,
throw suspicion on its orthodoxy
while political journal that clam
ors most loudly of independence
NAV usually be counted on to lam
poon and yilify with exceptions
rancor.
This sort OF ''iudependent' jour
nalism is also called business
journalism, which is much neare
the truth. Journalism, as Il pro
iession, is follower rather than
leader of public opinion. The sin
dependent" journalist has his ey,
forever on the subscription list ant
advertising ledger. 1t is altogethe
proper that he should. Theme,
eometh his sustenance, and he is
genuine caterer 10 the public ap
petite, II is a thoroughly honor
able and Legitimate business, re
garded as business, but il is alto
gether wrong To attribute To
Judicial imparriality, independeSc,
OF thought IN any Legitimate sense
or mission to enlighten publ
opinion. 1t goes where the win,
OF public sentiment blows il. and
weather gauge rather than
guide post. Ii is quite right tina
1t should be 50. A vane may b
useful as a sign board. but thei