The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-09-17
"PLEAsE DON'T PUBLISH"

! :
THE request, please do not publish
an thing about it." Sometimes it s
made In the form of a demand anc
accompanied ~ threats Of dire results
iii acquiescence does not follow.
There are a few things, the Louis
vile Herald points cut, that the pubic
ought keep in mind in the matter OF q
newspapers relation to the printing
of news.
In the first place. newspaper owes
an obligation to its whole circle OF
readers to print fair, comprehensive
report of the days happenings
cannot overlook this responsibility
merely TO please individuals. That
policy involves an injustice to the
many and fayoritism to the few. Who
shall be favored?
Much of the news that Is printed un
fortunately 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 it must be treated withou.
such consideration?
Persons who wish to escape puS-
licity should be careful not to make
news, or should count the cost Of adj
yertisement to the world as part OF
the price they must pay for what they
have determined upon doing.
There are certain easily defined
zones OF publicity. The individual
who steps into any of these may count
upon getting his name in the newspa-
pers. One is the courts, civil and
criminal The man who goes to law
invites advertisement. Yet MANI
sometimes women-appeal
to newspaper to suppress reports Of
legal proceedings in order that they
may be saved annoyance. The time
to consider immunity is before resort
to law.
Departure from the conventiona :
fties OF life is another means OF enter
ing the publicity zone. Conduct that
is off the beaten trail affords news.
Those who defy social obseryances or
tread upon stablished institutions
must not expect to escape print, and
should not ask to be saved from such
Further, much Injustice may be done
by the suppression of news. The
tongue of gossip, uniformed of the
real fact, can do a hundred times more
injury to the innocent than publication
Of the truth will do to those actually
involved. Often newspaper is shield
Ing a reputation of a score from the
scandal of suspicion when ft is telling
the truth about one who has incurred
the liability to censure.
A xr-sYf -
will exercise a certain dis.
There may be times and
that Justify suppression
Some happenings may in the reporting
Of them serve no proper end. OF two
things the responsible newspaper VIII
be jealousy careful-the good name
Of woman and the reputation of a
financial institution.
Both are OF that delicacy to De
easily hurt The good name Of a wom-
an is treasure beyond price. and a
cloud cast upon the reputation of a
bank or trust company may cause loss
10 thousands who are dependent upon
its soIvency.
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 diyerged into the danger
zone, the way to obtain considerats
treatment IS to ASSURE that you are
a subject for news, and to take the
into yovr confidence franz
" and fully
Such confidence is rarely abused.
and assuredlv never by any newspaper
that nakeg profession Of decency or
has regard for ethics.