Omaha daily bee., 1918-11-14
A Disgrace to Journalism
New York Evening Post. November 8.

event in the memory of the Oldest journalist 1t
| is all very fine to rush out in ordinary times
with sensational, but unverhed dispatches, IN
order to snatch few more pennies from cred
| ulous folk. But to deceive the public and pur-
vey false news in reference to one OF the most
| momentous events in the history of the world
this is nothing short of an offense against pub
lie morals, as well as violation of professional
ethics, which ought to be severely punished.
And the reckless papers which famed with
report that they should have known to be in
credible, and which was shown to be untrust-
worthy on the slightest inquiry, involved in their
disgrace other editors who strove to be honest
with themselves and with their patrons. For
the public is little discriminating 1t Jumps all
the newspapers together and. after yesterday,
will give new edge to the sneering question:
You surely don't believe anything you see in
the papers?" 1t is for this reason that the Eve
ming Post feels that yesterdays reckless i'm
position, and betrayal of public confidence by
the United Press ought seriously to be taken
into consideration by all newspaper men who
wish to keep their calling reputable.
We speak the gross offense of the United
Press, but we should speak just as strongly of
the Associated Press if it had been capable of
such criminal trihng with the public. Take the
original story and the later lame defense of the
United Press. On its face the Paris dispatch
was inherently improbable 1t was inconsistent
with what we knew about the journey of the
German commissioners to Marshal Foch. Even
before the later dispatches showed that the
United Press telegram was either pure inven-
ton or stupid misunderstanding, the evidence
of its huge improbabity was before every news
editor. The thing might be printed as an un-
confirmed rumor, but the whole affair cried out
for careful verihcaton. This was instantly un-
dertaken by the Associated Press, and in no
,,h, I,eco raI rs xt,oA
United Press dispatch was either fabrication
or the most idotic blunder. Vet with incredible
levity and in the biggest headlines the Dispatch
which every intelligent newspaper man knew to
be violently suspect, was flung to the public
without hint that it was not official and not to
be taken for gospel truth. The limping and
shame faced explanations could not overtake the
original lie. In fact, the alleged explanations
had lying stamped all over them.
The matter is one that comes close home to
every honorable newspaper. Somebody ought
to be disciplined and discharged and penalized
for this most gigantic of all newspaper mposi-
tions. 1t will never do to shrug it away as
venial mistake. Cynics in the business may say
that the armistice was bound to come in day
or two, anyhow, so what difference did it make
world took a chance" on it and rushed in
ahead of the others? But it does make vast
difference, as the United Press will find out
This is not a case of CHANGING it on Wild story
from Lhasa or Picking, but of foisting off
fable upon American business men, and dealing
in cruel bad faith with the fathers and mothers
of our soldiers in France. They will hereafter
know what to think of the reckless news agency
that deceived them, even if those who take its
service do not rise up in wrath against il.
The press, as we say has duty to perform
respecting this outrage, but has not the public
also? Will our easy-going people simply pass
it off as merely one more proof of newspaper
responsibility, and laugh at the next tale Of
fered to the gulilble? All that we can say is
that if readers of the papers who got this blow
on the head are not reused by It to protest, and
to resolve to distinguish between the journalism
that strives to be accurate, and that which does
not care straw what it prints, so long as it
sells, they will continue to be cheated by
sc1upulous newspapers. And, in oar opinion,
they will deserve to be cheated. What ought to
follow is some kind of organized and visible
public protest, to bring it sharply home to the
pockets-we speak not of their consciences-of
dishonorable papers that their impostures and
their frauds do not pay Abraham Hayward
recorded with delight in 1870 his hearing cab
man who had bought lying newspaper exclaim
to the vendor: eff you keep on selling me bat
ties that haven't been fought, I'm id if I
don't kick you" The United Press ought to be
kicked and kicked hard, for yesterdays bad
business.