The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-16
Mr.. Pulitzer and
American Journalism

ON the occasion OF his siXtieth
| birthday, MIR Pulitzer sent "A message
20 the stan of the World" in which
he phrased thus his conception OF a
great newspaper:
An institution which should always
night for progress and reform; never
tolt rate injustice or corruption, always
nght demagogues OF all parties, never
belong 20 any party. always oppose
privileged classes and public plumber,
never lack sympathy with the poor.
always remain devoted 10 the public
welfare: never bo satisfied with merely
fFtHtfHsE news always he drastteatly
independent: never be afraid 20 attack
wrong whether by predatory plu-
tocracy or predatory poverty.
1. the newspaper which he con-
trolled and the many newspapers
which his example influenced had
been molded by that conception. a
section OF the daily press OF this
country would have become very diff
ferent from what IL Is. AS a matter
of fact, however, the sort OF jour
nalism OF which these newspapers
are examples must be jLt ed. not by
profession. but by practice.
Judged thus, these newspapers are
distinctive for at least two qualities:
First, vast enterprise in the collection
ana display OF all news, important
aud unimportant; and, second, regard
for the tastes and the standards,
moral and intellectual, OF those In the
community whose tastes are least
eXacting and whose standards are
least developed Neither of these
qualities is In itself bad Indeed, each,
ii subordinated TO conscience and re-
gard for good taste and high stan
dards, can be productive OF great
good. Search for truth with enter
prise is better than search for truth
with lassitude; what the lowliest can
understand can be understood of all.
Modern medical research is an eX-
ample OF the first statement: the
Bible and Pilgrims Progress" are
examples of the second. II is hardly
necessary TO state. however that
American newspapers OF the type OF
the "World" are fit examples of
neither.
IN these newspapers enterprise, In
stead OF being subordinated to con
science and regard for decency, has
been devoted mainly 10 the securing
, of circulation. II has led 20 the dis.
regard OF truth for the sake of sensa-
ton; a disregard OF true proportion
/ between the important and unim-
po:tant for the sake OF attracting at.
tention and pennies by what is start
ling though ephemeral to the disre-
gard OF the rights OF privacy in the
eagerness for information. In these
newspapers also the desire TO consult
the tastes and wishes of the reader
has led to a readiness to be vulgar
because OF the belief that vulgarity
is wanted, a readiness TO pander 10
excitement because OF the belief that
In humdrum lives any kind OF excite
ment is sought, readiness even to
resort 10 intimidation because OF the
belief that popular feeling can be mis-
led profitaby.
What is good in modern popular
Journalism we believe will endure
The energy that has circled the world
with channels OF information. making
taa the world one, the dramatizatfon
OF what is really dramatic in current
history so that the humbIest can en-
ter into the life OF his brothers wher
ever they are, the exaltation OF sim
piicity and clarity in statement-these
and other good qualities will not be
lost. But We misread the minds OF
the American people. and even the
trend or newspapers today. IL the
great multitude OF newspaper readers
in this land do not ultimately repudi.
ate the assumption that the yellow
Journalism" that has fiourished. and
in a measure is still fiourishing. rep.
resents their aspirations or the OBJ.
Jective OF their developing taste.