The record-union., 1895-02-20
METROPOLITAN NEWS JOURNAL
ISM.

u AL
ISM.
Is it within the range of possibilities
FOR the San Francisco press to so train its
reporters that they will be able to cor
rectly report? In all seriousness we ask
this question, and not in any merely
querulOus spirit, or with any hide-bound
prejudices. He is unobservant who has
not taken note of the constant misreport-
ing in the press of the metropolis. 1t has
been little worse during the last three
years and far more noticeable within the
last year. Is it due to the aIl-pervading
spirit of sensationalism born of unhealthy
rivalry, or is it the result of poor pay that
drives the ''space men" to all manner of
resorts to raise a dollar TO the neglect of
truth, and the treatment of everyday
news topics with Indifference?
Within comparatively short time we
have had occasion to compare three re-
ports, N three of the metropolitan press,
OF the proceedings of a single body and
found it scarcely possible to believe that
the several reports related to the same
event. SO materially did they differ. To
make matters worse, a reliable person
present on the occasion averred that
neither of the reports even approached
the truth.
Not long ago the UNION
had occasion to take Mr.. Harmon.
the Weather Forecaster, to task for
grossly inaccurate reports of valley
and mountain neurology, and for
statements Of alleged facts relative to
physical conditions in this section. The
statements did gross injustice 10 the in
terror, and were all taken from San Fran
cisco newspapers. Then came the
weather official and defended himself nv
saying that the papers in question mis-
reported him, and that in the most griev-
Gus OF the cases no interview was had as
alleged. In short, we are forced to the
conclusion that IN Mr.. Hammon's case
The reports were born of the Imagination
OF space writers, or that the young men
detailed to report the weather seryice
Office are wholly wanting in the intelli-
gence requisite to common understand
ing of Mr.. Hammon's language and re-
ports.
There is no member of the California
Press Association who has ever attended
session of that body in San Francisco
or OF its Executive Committee, who has
not had the fact wildly brought to his
view that the San Francisco press ap-
pears to be incapable of correctly repre-
senting that body of journalists. even
when the reports are furnished bv the
body. In so small matter as the title of
the organization it is rare that it is COR
rectly given in San Francisco newsna-
per.
An official board having its Offices in
San Francisco was addressed by citizen
relative to report OF its proceedings given
IN San Francisco journal, and the reply
was returned that nothing of the kind
mad taken place, and in one instance that
not even meeting had been held. and in
another that what the press reported as
Affirmative action was negative action.
and so on. 1t is notorious that Eastern
visitors are frequently loud in their COM
plants that the San Francisco reporters
mlsrepresent or fail to understand them.
ana this fact the San Francisco press has
itself not infrequently published.
Something is radically wrong with the
news gathering and reporting svstem in
f'an francisco. AS one of the Oldest and
most trusted officials of that city not long
ago said under the seal of pledge not to
use his name or title: "You cannot relv
upon one-half you see in reports of orr
department appearing in our local
papers. We have found it almost i'm
possible to secure correct reports. evan
when we furnish the data ourselves: il is
often so distorted by the time it reaches
print that it bears but slight resem-
blauce to the truth"
The executive officer of a leading edu-
cational and scientific institution of the
metropolis was recently in consultation
with experienced journalists of other
cities, seeking advice as to how he could
secure more accurate home reports of the