Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-20
Ho,u to Keep Out
of the Newspaper

The Fourth Estate, newspaper for
the makers Of newspapers. published
in New York City, contains timely
article reprinted from the Louisville
Herald. That the article is timely in
every community can not be denied by
newspaper makers, for oil have the
same experiences. The article rs time
ly, too, from public standpoint. and
contains a lesson that may be taken
home by many individuals. That les
son is: III one would keep out of the
newspapers. keep within the beaten
trail OF conduca.' The article in ques-
ton follows:
Every newspaper is familiar with
the request Please do not publish any
thing about it, Sometimes it is made
in the form Of a demand and accom-
panied by threats of dire results II
acquiescence does not follow.
There are few things, the Louis
vile Herald says. the public ought to
keep in mind in the matter of a news
papers relation to the printing of news.
In the first place, newspaper owes
an obligation to it's whole circle of
readers to print a fair. comprehensive
report of the days happenings 1t can
not overlook this responsibility merely
to please individuals. That policy in
wolves an injustice to the many and
favoritism to the few. Who shall be
favoredo
Much OF the news that is printed
unfortunately occasions annoyance and
often heartache to somebody. That Is
an unavoidable incident of the news
paper business Is there Justification
for shielding from such consequences
the man or woman who has influence,
socially or in business. while the many
who lack 1t must be treated without
such consideration?
persons who wish to escape
publicity should be careful not to make
news, or should count the cost of adj
vertisement to the world as part OF the
price they must pay for what they
have determined upon doing.
"There are certain casily-defined
zones of publicity The individual who
steps into any OF these may count upon
getting his name in the newspapers.
One is the courts. civil and criminal.
The man who goes to law invites ad-
vertisement Yet many men-and
sometimes women-appeal to a news
paper to suppress reports OF legal pro-
ceedings in order that they may be
saved annoyance. The time to con-
slider immunity is before resort to law.
departure from the conventional
tiles Of life is another means Of enter
ing the publicity zone Conduct that
is Off the beaten trail affords news.
Those who defy social observances or
tread upon established institutions
must not expect to escape print. and
should not ask to be saved from such
notoriety.. iFt
Further, much Injustice may be done
by the suppression OF news. The tongue
of gossip, uniformed Of the real facts.
can do a. hundred times more injury
to the innocent than publication Of the
truth will do to those actually involved
Often newspaper is shielding the
reputation OF a score from the scandal
of suspicion when It is telling the truth
about one who has incurred the la
bility to censure. 'i{s
"a newspaper. With sense OF re-
sponsibility, will exercise certain dis
elimination There may be times and
circumstances that Justify suppression.
Some happenings may in the reporting
Of them serve no proper end. OF two
be jealousy careful-the good name OF
woman and the reputation Of finan-
cial institution. ->..-~
Both are Of that deIicacy to be easily
hurt The good name of woman is
a treasure beyond price. and a cloud
cast upon the reputation OF a bank or
trust company may cause less to
thousands who are dependent upon its
so1vency.
But this lesson the public should
learn-the way to avoid publicity is to
avoid departure from the beaten track;
and let this be added to tiff you have
diverged into the danger. zone the way
to obtain considerate treatment Is to
assume that you are a subject for news.
and to take the newspapers into your
confidence frankly and fully.
Such confidence is rarely abused.
and assuredly never by any newspaper
that makes profession Of decency or
has regard for ethics