Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-06-25
JOURNALISTIC ETHICS.
Paper Read by w. e. Gonzales to
South Carolina Editors.

Soutn SaTOliHd Gottofos
The following paper which was read
by Capt. w. E. Gonzales, editor of the
Columbia State before. the recent an
nual convention Of the South Carolina
] ress association at Spartanburg, con-
tains something that Is worth thought
full consideration at the hands Of the
general reader:
The subject, Journalistic Ethics"
assigned to me presents a wide field
whose boundaries are not clearly de-
fined and I have taken the liberty OF
1t to consideration Of the
need and practicability Of a code Of
ethics for that journalism represented
by the South Carolina Press associa-
ton, hoping that a discussion Of the
questions presented will have more
timely interest and bear more practi-
cal fruit than an academic treatment
of the general ethics Of the profession.
1t is promised:
First. That the profession we call
which has the distinction
of special guarantees Of protection by
the laws and constitution Of state and
country, is regarded as the one un-
selfish general agency for safeguard
ing the rights and liberties Of the peo-
Pile, or, in other words largely assist
ing in securing good government" un-
der constitutional rule.
Second. That to operate as a pow
erful factor in securing that form Of
good government that includes the
fullest measure Of individual liberty
the press-those taking post upon the
watch towers or to light the signal
fires-must have the respect Of the
people, and primary essential in win
ming that confidence Is selfsrespect;
the respect Of journalism by the men
Of that profession.
Third. That while slander Of the
press by those seekers of public favor
not indorsed by the press may be a
selfish political necessity, the slander
and l use the word with discrim-
ination-of one section of the press by
another Is a matter coming directly
within the purview Of healthy and
virile press associations, because such
slander must in time affect an ele-
ment Of the public in its regard for all
newspapers, and initiate against the
power Of the press for good by shaking
the confidence Of the very people In
greatest need of unselfish guidance.
II that which has been set forth Is
true Is there not an obligation upon
press associations to establish and
maintain a standard that will give the
Fourth Estate" a higher significance
in the public mind and thus render Its
efforts in the public service more po-
tent?
1t may be asked, why the need Of
setting a standard for journalism by
the state press association when In
other states, Massachusetts, for ex-
ample, the tone Of the newspapers is
high and each newspaper Is self-regu-
lated? According to my theory, the
tone of the press in what may be
termed the personal relation, is likely
to be lower in one-party states than
in those states with divisions on party
lines. The reasoning Is that where
there are political parties the heat Of
Is expended on the prin-
ciples involved; the Democratic editor
may earnestly oppose his friend for
mayor or governor or senator because
he Is a Republican, yet the individuals
remain friends, the lines not being
drawn against the person but against
the policies Of his party. But in
one-party state where no political
principles are discussed the personal
ity becomes outstanding. In the mind
of the public the editor Is personally
opposing or abusing" the candidate;
or the editor Of one paper Is personally
the editor Of another paper
One-party government makes for per-
sonalities and personalities for bitter
ness and bitterness for abuse.
Again, in those other professions
having ethical standards there are re-
quirements for admission. Those who
enter must have studied to prepare
l..
tions. Not so with journalism. The
field is open. There is no requirement
for the man entering to be master Of
much money, or Of any art or science.
or of himself. He Is as free to hurl
mud at his fellows Of the profession as
any gamin Of the gutter. He may miss
the real conception Of journalism as
far as the false misses truth, yet II his
readers have no other source Of in
formation it Is from him they obtain
their mental view Of "the press"
have heard it contended that the
newspaper has its brief day
and dies, or Is rehabilitated in worthy
hands, and the persons and papers
that have been the objects Of its un-
governed and unjust virulence, go for
ward upon their way unscathed. That
is frequently true, but 1t must not be
imagined the suggestion Of a code Of
ethics for the South Carolina Press
association is to protect either news
papers or public men: 1t is to protect
the people from the insidious poison of
designed and systematic misinforma-
become silent after time, but the poi
son he has injected fingers in the pub
lie mind.
Another difference between the press
in states with contending parties and
that Of one-party states Is the absence
in the latter of the elbow touch, the
fraternal feeling Of party papers. In
the party papers there Is less jealousy,
and leadership Is more readily recog-
nized. And working together for the
party naturally brings the newspapers
in more cordial touch on other than
political matters. in South Carolina
have been unpropitious.
years ago factional Bit
terness came to disturb that elbow
touch maintained during the Recon-
struction period: then came the ques-
tion of the continuance Of the state
as another source of deep
antagonism between members Of the
press, and that still finds some express
sion.
An analysis of conditions in that
quarter of a century leads to the judg-
ment that factional strife, more than
party opposition. develops the journal
istic demagogue and crushes chivalric
spirit; it may be popular for the
circulating in a bailiwick
to denounce some other newspaper
whose side never gets before those
people: and it may be considered un-
popular-although 1 do not believe 1t
Is ever long unpopular to be boldly
defend brother Of the press
whom YOU feel is making the fight you
would like to make.
In this state / estimate there are at
least 100000 voters who do not read
daily papers and probably 10000 who
do not regularly or intelligently read
any papers furnishing news of. current
events. But, these non-readers are
not necessarily outside the influence
Of the press. Most of them have opin-
ions about newspapers they have new
or read. Their neighbors pass on to
them, by word Of mouth. fragments Of
what the papers say" But if their
minds have been in previous years
poisoned with non-belief i'm the integ-
rity of the press where is the hope of
lifting them from bondage to the dem
agogue?
If it is conceded to be desirable to
effect q change in this condition, and
If betterment is within the province
and power of the South Carolina Press
,1,ot l,n1l oh 1n