Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-27
The Newspaper Ideal

HARVARD UNIVERSITY having conducted
recently essay competition on THE
|. Ideal Newspa per-" various contemporaries are
exercising themselves in discussion OF this
not particularly novel theme. In general
way, each Of them finds the ideal closely
Appropriated by itself. but from the mass
of theory and comment emerge certain
established principles about which there can
be little controversy.
AS to the newspapers primo function.
there is universal agreement that 1t is to tell
the truth. That is m ideal not attained alb
solutely. because the human equation enters
into and affects newspa per production just as
it enters into and affects every other activity
and relation OF life. With every disposition
to present the uncolored facts of any particu-
lar circumstance. they must. nevertheless, be
viewed through human eyes, weighed In the
human understanding and described with
human pen. Perfection is not attanable,
however ardently desired and diligently
sought. but it is the goal, nevertheless. OF
every clean newspape ambition.
The secondary function is honest and in
telligent comment. The time is long past
since newspaper readers accepted without
question whatever they printed in their
favorite journal newspaper of to-day ac-
quires editorial weight and influence in the
exact degree that it deserves 1t. There are
persons yet living, of course, who like or
dislike newspapers attitude on public
questions just as it agrees or disagrees with
their own Such persops, however, are in
a minority constantly growing smaller. The
average man accepts what he reads If 1t ap-
peals to his judgment and rejects 1t II to his
mind 1t appears stupid. prejudiced or unjust.
In our view, this changed viewpoint is
not only better for the public. but better also
for the newspapers. They prosper nowadays
only as they enjoy public confidence. and win
that confidence only by meriting it. The
public is quick to understand when a news
papers views are swayed and controlled by
its selfish interests. In journalism honesty
is not only the best policy. but the one policy
that can be relied on with any degree of GER
tainty to keep the institution out Of the hands
of the sheriff
The reason for this is obvious. The news
paper cannot hide its personality, cover up its
mistakes or continue to conceal its bias and
prejudice. They are blazoned forth day by
day for the inspection of a doubling and in
credulous generation. Honest mistakes, if
there are not too many of them, the public
can understand and forgive but dishonesty
makes the paper not only contemplate and
ridiculous, but Improbable.
These considerations explain why the old
organ is dying natural death. When 1t
was a political organ, one could always tell
in advance that it would point with pride"
10 everything It's party did, and "denounce
and deplore" everything that was done by
the other fellow. When it was an organ Of
another sort, the same thing held true. 1t
satisfied none but the partisan. It's active
code OF political morality was expressed in
the saying that, at pinch, it preferred it's
own scoundrel to the one controlled by the
opposition. The modern newspaper finds it
perfectly possible to hold strong political
convictions and yet admit that it's party, in
nation, State or city, is supporting the wrong
man or doing the wrong thing
Yes, for the newspaper at any rate
honesty is the best policy" 1t cannot get
along-it cannot win success, respect or a
bank account-by following any other rule.