The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-03
JOURNALS AND JOURNALS.
Some Yellow, Some Yellow n iieu'
and Some Red, White and Blue

and Some Red, White and l
The following article in the New YORK
Sun very clearly defines the various
classes Of Journalism at present in vogue:
The war and the wal news have served
20 instruct the American people the peo-
pie Of New York especially, concerning
the great and growing difference In the
character of establishments called news
papers. Until quite recently the profess
sion Of Journalism was homogeneous. Inc
business OF making newspapers was con-
Quoted with various degrees Of ability,
and with methods dependent upon indi-
yidual taste and Judgment. but on Ne
whole the fundamental principles We're
the same throughout. This condition has
been changing gradually for several
years past. The excitement of wal times
and the intense eagerness OF citizens for
prompt and full intelligence OF the pro-
gress of the conflict have accumulated
distinctions previously a little vague IN
the public mind. The specialization Of
contemporary journalism IS now well I'M
derstood by everybody. Newspapers are
Judged and valued not by a uniform
standard, but according TO their per-
formances in the several classes TO whlch
they respectively belong.
These classes are three in number, and
each has it's distinguishing colors. IL Is
not too fanciful 10 define the classes as
yellow journalism, yellow and red jour
nalism, and red. white and blue Journal
ism.
The yellow badge has become so IA
miliar. and the qualities It denotes are so
---.rr.. ....argvaJ fh4f 1agrrinfiOn lg
almost as surperfluous as the mention by
name OF examples of the tyne. II IS
proper to remark. however, that the es-
sential characteristics Of yellow Journal
ism are not those which are most IN
evidence TO the eye and the ear. Inc
bawling self-advertisement, the mega
phone announcements tho Gargantuan
type. the prodigies OF typographical ar
rangement and pictorial illustration. tne
colored crayon impressionist sketches on
the bulletin blackboards, n the other
vaudeville accessories, are mere extern
ais. A newspaper might be as yellow as
corruption without resorting 10 any OF
these devices to attract attention 10
itself. The essential thing that makes a
paper yellow is the habitual attitude OF
ats management toward its readers ana
toward the truth.
- III llAlnlAAA0AL -
newspaper Is in possession or d starving
war rumor or a deliberately fabricated
piece Of alleged news sure TO make a e
sation on the street and TO sell numerous
extras containing 1t. Suppose the con-
ductors Of the newspaper are either deii-
nitely aware OF the falseness OF the al
legged news manufactured under their
own noses. or privately doubtful OF the
truth Of the despatch innocently acquired
from outside. DO they Systematically
put forth the lie for the sake OF the sales
or do they systematically suppress 1t for
the sake OF the truth and the protection
of their readers? DO they rush the doubt
u rlrmor at once to their presses and 10
the newsboyS, or do tney hold II Tor
verifcation and the props satisfaction
OF their own professional and personal
consciences? In one case the newspaper
il yellow. In the other case II Is honest
and worthy OF the respect and confidence
Of the people.
The distinction. therefore, Is precisely
the same as the between the man OF
truth and the professor OF bunco. IL IS
a question OF motive and moral respon-
slbiity or moral d~ebasement; and that Is
all there IL to Il. Yellow journalism Is
systematic and conscious deception for
gain. II docs not alter the case or oolt-
crate the shameful hue even II the pro-
~prietors OF a yellow newspaper prefer,
on the whole. 20 print genuine news from
ths ssax OF war rather than bogus; Of II