East Mississippi times. (Starkville, Miss.) 19??-1926, 1911-06-02
JOURNALISTIC ETHICS.
As Viewed by a Texas Editor.

own views, was the subject of a
very interesting and able address
by Ashley Evans of Bonham. be-
fore the annual meeting of the
Texas Press association at Port
Lavaca. Mr.. Evans held views in
the negative on the question, and
in support of bis position spoke as
follows:
One cannot always answer an
ethical question of this kind with
a simple yes or no. and do JUS
tlce to conscience attuned TO
truth and righteousness. There
are times when a paper may prop
ly accept pay for publishing nrgu-
ments not in accord with it's own
views, and there are times when ii
cannot properly accept them. 1t
depends upon the nature of the
question argued as well as the ma
ture of the argument.
This principle can be laid down
with the approval of every editor
who desires to do what is right.
namely, no newspaper has right
to publish for pay, or without pay,
anything that is clearly hurtful to
society or whose tendency is obvi-
ously to undermine the highest
moral standards of social or busi-
ness life. The editor who does not
accept this axiom cannot be in
tiuence by any discussion of this
question. There is no appeal but
that of expediency that can be
made to the man who acts on the
principle that anything is legiti-
mate matter for publication that
will bring more revenue than ex-
pense. Happily this class is small
and must grow smaller as the edu-
cation of the minds and hearts of
the people grows forward and up
ward under the influence Of the
schools, of the press and of the
pulpit, as it is constantly going for
ward and upward.
Assuming the acceptance of
the principle thus laid down, |
hold that it is legitimate for a
newspaper to accept for publica-
ton arguments on questions on
which the views Of the author and
the editor conflict. | have not
much respect for the mental breadth
of the editor who refuses to allow
others to express their honest
views because they happen to dis
agree with his own. No man who
holds sound views on questions of
public interest need fear a full
and free discussion of these Ques-
tons, On the other hand he
should court such discussion. for
herein lies the safety of self
growing people. 1t may ,ake time
to bring the people to see the truth
concerning any disputed question
! but the best and sureSt wav ot
ultimately convincing them of thu
truth is to have the arguments fo,
and against it presel te in Il,
honest way
EDITOR MUST BE OWN JUDGE.
An editor must always be hi
own judge of what is admissible il
the discussion ofa question through
his own paper. He may be per
fectly willing to allow discussion
and yet consistently refuse to prb
lish, for pay or as matter O
courtesy and right, many article
that are submitted. Many writer
for the press mistake abuse 70
argument, and would have thei
readers accept assertions the
make in lieu of facts. There is n
more common error and no NOR
false idea, An editor is under n
obligation to give countenence {
such error and such folly. But h
, is under obligation to recogniz
honest statement of ones positio
and all honest argument support
ing it. IAsay argument advisedly
for he is under no obligation i