The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-07-22
MERELY A MIRROR.


The function that must be performed
by newspaper is TO reflect all that
happens; il is a great mirror, machine
the editors and reporters that gather
the news are the component parts of this
great machine, little mirrors placed here
and there to reflect everything that hap
pens. The completed newspaper is rec
ognized as the greatest boon ever offer
ed mankind; it gives the greatest
amount OF literature or OF wholesome
knowledge for the least cost. The
cities that support the best newspapers
are the best cities; they are populated
with intelligent people who encourage
good papers and will not tolerate Pul,
itzerism. The people of the country are
being gradually educated to an appre.
citation of good newspapers. The yellow
journal has not proved successful of late
People seek eriterions from among news.
papers that endeavor to eliminate sen.
sationalism and discourage those which
depend upon canards SO as 10 appear
newsy. The most successful newspapers
are those that act as servants OF the
people, purely as news gatherers. Per-
sonalities have no apparent place in the
successful newspaper although the pub
hcation is the composite personality of
all associated with it; il is offered to
the public under convenient nom de
plume. Nor can the successful news.
paper be used to satisfy personal am.
mosities. The regime must always real.
ize that its publication is merely mir
ror. public servitor. 1t must appeal
to varied clientele; news that NAV
bring discontinue or even sorrow to
some is of interest to the majority:
for a paper to deny some the privi-
lege of reading such matter in compliance
with the request of few is a greiyous
error In such instances those most Wit.
ally interested often misjudge the paper
apparently they do not appreciate the
necessity of a newspaper maintaining
a certain standard among newsgatherers.
We do not mean to imply that the hon
or of men and women should be assail-
ed for the sake of story; it is poor
newspaper that depends upon such mat.
ter for its columns and it is a poor
clientele that -relishes such news. The
successful newspaper does not cater TO
that element. Occasions drise, how
ever, which demand certain amount Of
publicity, the people at large are inter
ested, they wish to be enlightened as to
what happened at wedding, at a re.
ceptiOn, at an afternoon tea. They wish
10 know what the hostess wore. who was
there, how the rooms were decorated
what refreshments were served. They
are not envious, they hold no i'll feel.
ing toward the entertainers because they
did not receive an invitation; they are
merely curious and curiosity must needs
be satisfied. The paper is looked to for
this satisfaction. Many arguments are
offered against such publicity, some say
"the wedding will be a quiet affair. We
wish nothing said about it." And yet
the hundreds who are acquainted with
the principals are clamoring for partic-
ulars they depend upon the press. If
the interested parties show no inclina.
tion to give out the particulars, it is up
to the reporter to obtain the story or
lose his position. The same may be said
Of the informal afternoon tea. The peo.
pie wish to know what occurred; the pa
per must offer the knowledgs. No sue.
cessful paper can serve individuals, it
must be a mirror for the people at large. |
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