The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-26
UNRELIABLE NEWS SERVICE.
How False Reports Are Sent ALI Over
the World.
From the Fresno Republican.


From the Fresno Republican.
Civilization could not do without the
news-dispensing service. The paper
which we read over our morning cup Of
coffee links mankind in peculiar bond
of fraternity such as the world has never
before known; under its silent influence
distance vanishes and space is annihi-
lated. As we read Europe becomes our
near neig hbor and Asia is just across the
way. Let the electric current cease to
flow along earth's network of wires. and
the retrogresSion of the race would at
once begin.
! Under these circumstances the import
ance of truth-so far as it is attainable-
In the news service cannot be overestf-
mated, for 1t is on this news that we are,
almost unconsciously, basing our opin-
ions OF the race: falsity In the one results
IN mistaken impressions in the other.
Nevertheless it is q deplorable fact that
the dispatches are not only hIled with
error. which might be unavoidable in
many cases. but also with absolute false
! hood. A compilation of such gorgeous
falsehoods published during single
week would be interesting reading. The
data is not at hand for such q compila-
| ton, but few recent illustrations OF the
point we would make finger in
memory and may be mentioned.
An interview with ex-Presldent
Harrison was published, in which
he was represented as inveighing bitterly
against bicycles and feminine bicycle
riders; it was a lie pure and simple, foun-
datlonless as a midsummer nights
dream. 1t was announced that Corbett is
suffering from an incurable disease; if it
was not a falsehood, its immediate denial
was. Dr.. Forbes Wlnslow came TO this
country and an interview" with him
WAS at once published in which he was
represented as depicting in vivid colors
the danger and immortality of the riding
of bicycles by women; DR.. Winslow Is
authority for the statement that no such
interview ever took place. The wife OF
Governor Culberson of Texas was repre-
sented as denouncing her husband for
calling an extra session OF the LeglSla-
ture TO act concerning priZefghting; the
story was fake" Mrs. Maud Booth
was reported as denouncing the new
woman; she has written to the Literary
Digest that her views were distorted and
miSrepresented. 1t was recently wired to
London that nine-tenths of the stories Of
Armenian atrocities were complete fabri-
cations; either this announcement was
untrue or its predecessors were.
So we might continue. for every day
brings its additions to the list of bold
faced falsehoods, but enough instances
have been given to illustrate the truth of
what we say. With line Of lying re-
porters reaching about the world; with
an unnum bered host who do not hesitate
to manufacture news" the question is,
What should be done about it? The
duty of the newspaper publishers to
guard their patrons against this world
embracing circle of monumental liars ia
evident. How shall they do 1t?
The answer TO this question must be
found in combined action. Let the press
associations, great or small. take vigor-
Gus action in the matter, let them make
the neWs-dispensing organization un-
! derstand that they will not cheerfully be
used as the prOmulgators of lies, and a
first step will be taken which will result
in final betterment of the service. By
combined action the newspapers may
weed their news very largely of false
hoods.
The Republican does not believe that
the average publisher desires his newspa-
/ per to be a medium for conveying un-
truths to its readers. He merely accepts
/ as apparently irrsmediable what need
not be really so. There should be COM
! bined action, and the organized press as
/ sociations are the medium through
which it may be taken. No greater or
/ better work could be undertaken by the
publishers of California. and we hope it
Will not long be delayed, for the present
tendency of the dispatches is distinctly to
| the worse.