Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-09-20
Declares World Is
Growing Better
President Rountree Before Georgi;
Press Association At Athens

ATHENS, Ga. Sept. 15-"The true
lessons of life, the best there is il
life, is now carried by the average
newspaper in Georgia. They are the
textbooks from which their readers
learn these lessons and the person
who does not read them is certainly
missing much of the best of life to-
day"
This statement was made Friday
by Charles D. Rountree, Wrights-
vile, president OF the Georgia
Press Association, in a prepared dis
cussion of his proposal that the pa
pers of the State adopt a code OF
ethics. Earlier in the day, the
presidents address was given mem
bers of the Eighth and Ninth Dis
trict Press Associations, in joint
session here.
in stating that the world is grow
ing better, base this upon the asser-
ton that the newspapers OF the world
have been the greatest medium in ed
ucating the people of all classes to
higher ideals and to better and clean
er living" he said
at is admitted by all that the growth
and development of the newspapers
have brought greater obligations and
larger responsibilities to- those who
serve their constituents as editors
And IN glancing over the record OIL
Georgia newspapers the past few wears
we ind that they have wonderfully
lived up to their opportunities.
IF the Georgia Press is to be &C.
corded a still more stable and honoret
place in both the general and specific
affairs OF this commonwealth it seems
to me that it is highly important thai
we start crystalizing a sentiment thru
out the realm Of Georgia newspaper
dom for the definite establ 'shment Of
high code OF ethics, stra hit ant
narroW guide to the prof s.3aa Drac.
tice."
Mr.. Rountree outlined the follow.
ing suggested CODE
We should use every endeavor tc
elevate the standards of journalism
and to so conduct our own papers thai
competitors may find it wise. profitable
and conductive to happiness to emulate
our example.
o strive for no success that is MOI
founded upon the highest conception
ot Justice and morality.
TO extend whole hearted encour
a!gement through our news and editor
lal columns for the enforcement of the
laws OF the state and the nation.
10 have an established rate and tc
adhere thereto giving everybody ;
square deal
ITO give credit if possible to copieC
matter.
ITO refrain from speaking or writ
ing discouragingly or d,sparagingly o
contemporaneous papers or editors.
TO discourage the growing evil o
the space-grafter by every legitimat,
means.
TO investigate all questionable adj
vcrtising offered.
TO resolve to perform all dutie!
Incumbent upon us as a member of the
state and district associations and tc
accept no office nor duty without the
full determination to do our very best
thereby cementing the ties of fellow
ship and cooperation that should exis
between all members of the body.
Journalism, my good friends SHOULD
never follow all the other professions
but it should be leader of them ant
stand a lead among them
"JournaEsm's responsibility super
sedes all other professions. Why? |
goes into more homes, comes into di
rect contact with more people oftcne
than any other and therefore has
greater opportunity for constructiv,
social good. And, | am not dealing il
idealism alone. This is Just sort O
practical, common sense idea we hav,
happened to aquire if not inherited
| that TO be an influence of greater sig
nificance in the future some tangible
code of ethics should govern the pres
of the state and to be an ideal news
paper in every respect the newspape
must pay the publisher.
Its got to pay. Who would lister
to a newspaper that is not a CONNER
cial success when the public construe
virtue with success and evil with fail
ure', he asserted.
Election of officers, selection of thu
next meeting place and discussion o
severa subjects relating to the pub
fishing and editing of newspapers were
to complete the days joint session O
the TWO district associations. Fines
Camp Of Monroe, president of the Stt
district Assoc alton, and John F
Shannon head OF the 9th District AS
ISOLATION presided over the session.
Louis L. Morris of Hartwell, Ga.
Will w. Drummer of Washington, Ga.
w. T Bacon of Madison, c M Nor.
cock of Lawrenceville, f A Caldwell
of Monroe and others were on the
program for professional talks.
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