The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-11-22
THE nrmIes OF SUCCESSFUL JOURNALISM

THE ETHICS OF SUCCESSFUL JOURNALISM
General Otis, the editor OF the Los
Angeles, CAL, Times, published in n
recent issue OF that paper his idea OF the
stand newspaper should take 10 be
successful. TIE Times as conducted &C
cording TO his ideas, has been successful )
therefore his opinion will be OF interest.
He says: "The present day journal, II
II Le journal truly worthy OF public
confidence. is not manipulated as the
private instrument Of its owner; il is not
warped and diverted into being the mar
row advocate OF it's owners private COM
meroialism, nor used 10 boost HE stock
iobbing operations. When II is bought,
controlled and used for the purpose OF
advancing the political ambition OF it's
owner and his personal friends, II ceases
10 be a journal, and becomes simply an
organ; :; and mere organ is entitled to
no party or public respect. IL has no
influence, and II carries no worthy
measures, for its power 10 do good 10
gone, and it's unworthy personal motives
destroy public faith in 1t and saps its
vitality as a public journal worthy of the
name.
"The mere organ constantly makes the
blunder OF taking its readers for fools. II
prints fool statements, both editorial
and news, and expects intelligent and
independent citizens TO believe them.
The principle now ruling in the conduct
Of American journals OF the best type is
that of honesty, independence, fearless
ness, and absolute devotion TO the gen.
eral good, wholly uninhuencsd by the
dictates Of private interest, personal am
bition or personal resentments. Such
Journals as these are not warped in their
editorial utterance by the demands o.
interested individuals, by the dietStes o
political factions, or by the caiolery o
political workers, whether inside OF
outside the publication office.
"Modorn newspapers of the best typ
do not protest too much They demon
strate the soundness OF their politics, tn,
purity OF their motives, and the correct
ness OF their journalistic campaign b!
, the contents OF their columns, leaving al
intelligent constituency TO Judge 70
Z themselves az 10 the question Of motive
patriotism, honesty, courage and faith
iuness 10 the common veal.
"The present-day newspaper, II ii b
: right, depends upon the great and in
1 partial public for its patronage, and
not supported by funds drawn from COZ
porations, committees, candidates, ind
viduals or gangs Of individuals hayin
interests in conflict with those OF III
d public.
y "The presentday newspaper, II II D
/, right, honest, ,enterprising and energetic
and il 1t possesses the public conhdeno'
is we'll abe 10 keep itself out Of ii
: Slough Of Despond financially and is n'
o compelled to trek with suddenness an
a celebrity 10 escape the pursuing sherii
h "rhe present.day newspaper, II il |
right and have consistency OF chaTacte
is spokesman Of the truth and reli
9 BILE medium for the dissent alton
public news il il is not chameleon, an
: does not change its political colors vii
the heetness aud agility Of the cham
leon, On the contrary, il espouses soun
, principles, just causes aud legitimai
: measures, aud stands fast in their adv
4 caey. Il does not flop, and--prest
ehangel--alter it's coat after the mann'
OF lightning change artist ON n
vaudeville stage, and expect ils Teade
, 70 look upon il as anything else tia
\ The same old thing.
81 The presentday newspaper, Mil