The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-12-27
COH1MUNGCATIONS
Mission Of a Newspaper.

What is a newspaper? 1t is a sheet
OF paper printed and distributed, at
short intervals, for conveying intelli-
gence of passing events; or, in other
words, its legitimate and recognized
mission is to gather and chronicle the
doings and happenings of the times
with a view of giving the public trust
worthy and intelligent information.
Every newspaper has it's sphere of
influence, and, within that sphere, it
must perform it's task and perform it
we'll or acknowledge it's inability to
do so by stepping down and out of the
business. 1t must have a definite pol
icy backed up by vigor, fairness, ac-
curacy and courage or it will fail in its
high missio nOf making and shaping
sentiment.
A newspaper is a great educatiye
force, if it is deserving of it's name,
for its purpose is TO inform the pub.
lie intelligently on matters and meas
ures and policies, both those in ex-
istence and these in contemplation,
which affect it or are likely to affect
it. 1t should deal honestly, yet fear
lessly, with whatever menaces the wei.
fare of the people. 1t should champion
the side of the weak and oppressed
when the rights of such are being
5eopardized. 1t should train it's guns
gairst fO tilted wrong, even though it
were a king perperating such wrong.
It's specific province is to build up
healthy public sentiment against
wrong-doing whether it be in high or
low places. 1t should keep it's lower
rs well as its upper lights burning
that all who come within the radius
Of such light may see things as they
ire and not as they seem. If it fails
n these essential things, then it fails
n true usefulness and in the great
purpose for which it came into exist
ence. If it fails to rise up to the needs
Of the times, if it fails to record the
news of the times, if it fails to inter
pret the signs of the times; if it fails
10 give proper warning and advice,
then it fails in subscribing the best in
terest of it's constituency, the people
and, therefore, ought to fail.
A newspaper is the mirror of the
times; for instance, if a train
runs over and kills Mr.. A, lis it not
proper to record such a fact as news?
If a burglar enters a home and robs it.
should not such robbery be reported
rs news? If Ham Japheth thrashes
Japheth Ham or Tom Jones beats up
John Smith, wouldn't these be news
TENS to which the reading constitu-
ency CT a paper is entitled? If a news
paper lives, it must perform it's work
lcceDtably; it must gather current
news material; it must study the taste
Of its readers, or it will lose their in
terest and their support.
If there are any persons who desire
to escape publicity, they should see to
it that their acts do not become pub
lie property. The argus-eyed hunters
of news appropriate whatever they
think will be of interest to the patrons
of their paper. They are paid for
their service and are expected to con
tribute their quota Of matter. They
are expected to give only facts in re-
counting any event.
The Mission OF the Negro newspa-
per should be to espouse the cause of
It's people in an intelligent, broad and
conscientious way. 1t should stand
6ravely by it's guns and continue to do
battle for the rights of it's people.
There should be no compromising. no
~7acillatiOn, no indecision when facing
2 plain and obvious duty. A paper
that wabbles and squirms and hides
md cloaks is little else than worth
less. If it would create prestige, it
must, from the heights of it's exalted
position, as defender of the peoples
rights, speak out In a manful, fearless
tone. If there. are any who would
crook the supple hinges of their knees
where favor follows fawning, they are
At liberty to pursue the bent of their
inclination. Rut the majority of the
people no longer submit tamely to
every indignity and murmur not; and
the paper that AYERS its espousal of
the peoples cause must hew to the
line, or it will go to the wall.
JADECEE.