New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-05
An Open Forum for
Public Debate.

on is revealed or not, but in these YER.
cases where the courts demand the In
formation the newspaper man often find,
himself obliged To conceal confidential
communications
Very early in the history Of law IL b,
came necessary TO privilege communities
lions between lawyers and clients and be-
tween doctors ana patients. Journalism
is q modern development: its entire his
tory does not span four hundred year,
and IL is only within very recent times
that newspaper reporters have been haei
into court for inquistion. The develop
ment of journalism has increased the I'm
portance of investigations made by 70
porters. often they unearth secrets ot
national and statewide Importance con-
corning political or social affairs. and OIL
many occasions they are required to give
pledges OF secrecy. I'm such cases the
newspaper men consider themselves as
much bound TO protect their informans
as lawyers hold themselves bound to pro-
tect the communications of their clients
and II a reporter is morally bouno me
law should make him legally privileged
The ethical standard Of journalism should
be as nigh as the ethical standard OF the
legal profession, and, this being the case
the law should recognize the STANDARD
and lend its high ssnction.-Salt Lake
Tribune.
-pEEnnM OE THE PRESS.
Two New-York Tribune representative
have been fined $500 each by Feden
Judge Hand for contempt OF court The
had obtained an exclusive news story
printing facts concerning two smusg'i1
cases i'm advance of the official announce
ment Of these facts. They refused 70 e.
nose their informers in the customs o.
fees. IL may be that the United sta's
Supreme Court will uphold the me ''n,
posed by Judge Hand. II il does II VIII
dv i'm the face Of public opinion, for PUP
lie opinion will not support the imposuV"
Of such a fine when IL is considered w
crime has been committed and no immo's'
act IS charged. The public is parucuiA''
Jealous of the right or free speech 'n'
freedom of the press guaranteed by u,
OF the United states aH'
II the state. II will not tolerate gov
eminent muzzied press.-KnckeroocA''
Press
WHERE 1T is HONOR TO SUITE"
The attachment for contempt, Win
Inc of $500 each. of two represeh'au'e
# The New-York Tribune because wv
.efused 10 divulge TO the court the sou'''
# information upon which they pfih'Ix
advance news fully justified in the eve.
s nothing more nor less than little p''I
II attempted judic&l tyranny "h04
We have any gift OF prophecy VIII
sorry looking thing by the time the i.'e'
states Supreme Court gets through WIN,
II is. however, somewhat remafhA1-.
hat President Wilson should have 0''
induced I'm this case 10 sign pardons
ADVANCE of a possible crime. so as F"
he court in position TO direct INC nv
PAPER men TO answer.
"The State" believes In the process
attachment for contempt OF court VIZ
he contempt is fragrant and comii''''s
n the courts presence. IL believes
he constructive contempt when io'V
IN n wilful disobedience OF court orde's"
,eople who should be bound by the oiu'.
- the courts. These are necessary ~
Tents OF judicial procedure, whereof
courts are given the means OF sen-pN
ection. -. III,
But in a case like, that In when
Tribune men are attached there is ~"
r. law that supersedes the law o.
ar,rt or whatever the courts may W.
,true that law to be. "a
That is the law OF the "Seh'ie" -,
al<ing the word in It's broadest anu
meaning. Some things gentleman ~ ~.
ng a man. will not do, though inc ~ ~,
ms fall. one Is TO jeopardize the So ,,os
II a friend or 10 betray conlhu'". IN
,iven under seal Of confidence. feou'
loes this restraint apply TO the newsp1 ars
nan. as il applies, both professional. md
~ statute. 10 the lawyer. the docto'
minister. The service OF the ne"sP,,
nan is publicity. Publicity IS MS sno.,
lie stands by his diagnosis. hedseu Ne
With penalties il he Is mlstaNo" Az.
hould be guarded In securing his re" n
hitch he takes at such risk u he 'sn W..
vac, truth. with the same iminu"'s -,
hat apply To communications mace ,se
ickbed. In the lawyers office OF
Columbia tS. Cd s'"'