The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-02-04
HIGH STANDARDS ''' , On
BY OREGON EDITORS
To Make Papers Fairer, Kinder and
More Honest - Suppress
Good Stories.

J EUGENE. Ore. Feb 4-Setting a
2 standard based upon truth. sincerity,
thoroughnesS, Justice, mercy. kindness
J and moderation. the Oregon State Edj-
torial association adopted recently at a
/ meeting here code of ethics intended
| to be a guide 20. the profession of journ-
( aliSm in the state.
The code was prepared by Dean Colin
4 Dymeut. of the University of Oregon. at
/ the direction of the association. and was
unanimously approved by a representa-
I tive gathering of Oregon editors and
i publishers who pledged themselves TO
/ adhere to its preceptS
There are seven sections to the code
and. they go in detail into all practices
4 and relationships Of journalism. The
/ first is headed Sincerity and Truth
/ and declared for accuracy in editorial,
advertisement. article or news story.
Care, Competency. ThorOughneSs Is
the caption of the second section which
includes among its declarations the fol
I lowing BY study and inquiry and OBJ
| scrvation. we viii constantly aim TO inn
prove ourselves. so that our writings
may be more authentic. and of greater
perspective and more conducive to the
social good. -
Protection. within reason. of the
rights of individuals mentioned in pub
lie documents. regardless of. the effect on
! good stories or upon editorial policies.
is a principle included in the. section de-
voted TO Justice. Mercy. Kindness This
section also declares against making
privileged utterance" a cloak for un-
just attack. or spitefu venting, or care
leSsneSs in investigation, in the cases Of
parties or persons.
We viii endeavor to avoid the injuS-
tice that springs from hasty conclusion
in editorial or reportorial or interpretive
practice is a principle laid down in
section devoted to Moderation. Con-
Servatism. proportion. This section also
provides against distortion of news by
improper emphasis. skillful arrange
ments or by devices of Typography or
rhetoric.
The section declaring against parti-
sanship and propaganda sets forth the
following I'VE will not permit, unless
in exceptional cases. the publishing Of
news and editorial matter not prepared
by ourselves or our staffs. belieYeing that
original matter is the best answer to
the peril of propaganda,
No man who is not in ethical adj
vance of the average of his community.
should be iFSsthe profession of Journal
ISM, is a declaration in the section de-
voted to Public Service and Social Poll
icy. I'VE will keep our writings and
our publications free from unrefinement
publication of sordid details TO be for
the social good, says one article Of this
section. s
On advertising and circulation tiei
code pledges the Oregon newspapernren
to cooperate with those special agencies
whose business it. is to raise thp4ethital
standards of advertising. and to har such
advertising which the publisher has rea
son 70 believe will deceive the reader
eve viii not advertise our own news
paper or its circulation boastfully or
otherwise in terms not in harmony with
Il AZ Il : 4, Sc -
another provision of this section which
concludes with the following: We viii
not make our printing facilities avail
able for the production of advertising
which we believe to be socially harmful
or fraudulent in its intent