New-York tribune., 1922-01-19
Miller Pleads
For Accuracy
In Newspapers
Governor Says Events Form
Public Opinion and That
Reports of Them Ought
10 Hold to Strict Truth
He Speaks to Publishers
Makes Point of Influence
Press Has in Shaping
Laws That Govern Nation
from q Stnn corroanondon,


ALBANY, Jan. 18.-In an address he
lorc the New York State Publishers
ASSOCIATION here to-day Governor Mil
Ter emphasized the responsibility Of
IN" press in the accurate reporting of
news. He told the assembled editors
OF the case with which little twist
given to headline or the shading of
a sentence by the writer could convey
thoughts contrary to the facts.
There may be doubt as to what
really creates public opinion" said the
Governor 81 have some doubts upon
'hat subject at times, but certainly the
events are the things which ought to
create public opinion. The proper re-
cordlng of events through the press is
the means by which public opinion is
'ormed. The power that the press
w'c'ds, both actually in creating opin-
ION or IN putting truly before the pub
nc actual occurrences, is so great that
1t cannot be measured.
Holds Great Responsibility
"Ot course, in the last analysis. GOV.
crhment rests upon public opinion, not
tnc feetlng opinion Of the moment, but
thc dellbcratc. informed opinion of the
puolIc after ample opportunity to con
sidcr and know the facts. do not
Know to what extent the editorial page
lhrcenccs opinion. but through the
power OF the news columns-in ways
that are very insidious, might say
the minds of people are made up with
out their knowing what influences
tEcm.
"lhe cast Of tho headline. tho little
twist in the statement of the occur
cnce, finds Judgement in the brains Of
count less numbers Of people and, un-
consciously to the reader, ultimately
causes that reader to form an opinion.
AND so the responsibility that rests
upon the press of correctly recording
the news is responsibility so great
that in my Judgment it cannot lightly
be abused, and if there is any word
that would like to say to impress
upon the men concerned in this field it
is to emphasize their responsibility to
tell the public the truth. do not care
what is said about me, for example, so
much in the way Of cditorlal comment.
| do care, however | am only
speaking as one Of tho public officials
wha is said as matter of news.
lie Finds Distortions
Now. it has been my observation
that good many of the things about
which have hrst-hand knowledge
frequently arc distorted in tho news
columns, either consciously or uncon-
sciously; sometimes, | thought, CON
sclously; sometimes, no doubt uncon-
sciously. ! don't know but sometimes
the particular policy Of tho paper, il
it has policy, may influence it's news
columns. ! do not think that any pub
Ncation can possibly have policy
which ought to affect tho correct por-
trayal Of the news, and you gentle
men controlling the ono vehicle by
which the facts can be got before the
public. have responsibility which
want to emphasize, because in the last
analysis progress, the future of the
government itself, depends upon we'll
informed public opinion
Now. l have not said this in any
spirit of criticism. because | have not
any grievance with the press. I have
been treated fairly. and am not thin
skinned either, and | don't object to
being criticized when I do things that
are the subject of criticism. Everybody
makes mistakes if he does anything. If
] make mistakes | am glad to have