Evening star., 1923-04-28
Editors aroused Ouer Lack
Of Seasoned Ne,vspapermen
Study ofSituation and Better Pay Urged.
Canors of Journalism, Code of Ethics,
Is Presented by Framers.

back to the committee for revision.
The sixth Of these "canons" was con-
sidered in the light of the Newberry
case and time was asked for more
mature consideration.
To defend the newspaper profession
from unfair aspersions cast upon it.
and to develop ethical standards Of
professional conduct, are outstanding
purposes OF the organization. accord
ing TO President Yost. He discussed
each clause of the preamble to the
constitution OF the association which
ITO promote acquaintance among
members, to develop stronger pro-
fessional esprit de CORPS. TO maintain
the dignity and rights Of the profession
to consider and perhaps establish
ethical standards of professional con-
duct, TO interchange ideas for the ad-
vancement of professional ideals and
for the more effective application OF
professional labors. and to work col
lectively for the solution of common
problems"
Public Confidence Essential.
Mr. Yost emphasized that public
confidence is essential to effective
journalism, and confidence in a news
paper as an individual must be
founded on character In two ways
this association" he said, "can coun-
teract the influence of antagonism
, shown in general attacks: First. by
collectively showing the untruth. and,
second. by collective action to estab
lish definite standards of journalistic
conduct which will serve to lessen
occasion for truthful criticism"
In Offering the "Canons Of Journal
ism," Mr.. Wright pointed out that
the primary function Of newspapers
is to communicate to the human race
what it's members do, feel and think.
Journalism therefore, demands of its
practitioners the widest range of in
telligence, of knowledge and Of ex-
| perienCe, as well as natural and
| trained powers of observation and
reasoning. To its opportunities as
chronicle are indissolubly linked its
| obligations teacher and inter
prefer.
To COdify Sound Practice.
ITO the end Of finding some means
| of codifying sound practice and just
aspirations Of American journalism
| these canons are Set FORTH said Mr.
, Wright.
First. Responsibility-The right of
! a newspaper to attract and hold
| readers is restricted by nothing but
| considerations Of public welfare. The
! use a newspaper makes or the snare
| of public attention it gains serves 10
| determine its sense OF responsibility,
| which it shares with every member
, of its staff. A journalist who uses
| his power for any selfish or otherwise
| unworthy purpose is faithless TO
I hlRn trust
| Second Freedom Of the Press
Freedom Of the press is to be qua nd :
ed az a vital right Of mankind. 1t IS
| the unquestionable right to discuss
whatever is not explicitly forbidden
by law. including the wisdom OF any
| restrictive statute.
! Third. Independence. - Freed dom
/ from all obligations except that OF
| fidelity to the public interest is vital.
Private Interests Contrary.
G) Promotion Of any private in
1 terest contrary to the general well
| fare. for whatever reason. is not
| compatible with honest Journalism.
private sources should not be pub
| iished without public notice of their
source or else substantiatfon or thelr
! claims to value as news, both In form
and substance - .,.,
| even in editorial comment. does ylo-
Ilence to the best spirit Of American
journalism; in the news columns 1t Is
,subversive Of fundamental principle
Fourth. Sincerity. Truthfulness. Ac-
curacy. Good faith with the reader
is the foundation of all journalism
worthy of the name.
1 G) BY every consideration OF
good faith a newspaper is constrained
| to be truthful. 1t is not to be ex-
cused for lack of thoroughness or &C
curacy within its control or failure
to obtain command of these essential
qualities.
Honesty in Headlines
(2) Headlines should be fully
warranted by the contents Of the ar
ticles which they surmount.
! Fifth. Impartiality. Sound practice
makes clear distinction between news
reports and expressions OF opinion.
| News reports should be free from
opinion or bias of any kind.
| % This rule does not apply to
| so o-called special articles unmistak-
ably devoted to advocacy or charac-
terized by a signature authorizing
rs Critics of the arts should pos.
sess authority based on knowledge
sympathy based on understanding
| independence Of Judgment that de-
| mands complete freedom.
Sixth. Fair PLAY newspaper
SHOULD not publish unofficial charges
affecting reputation or moral charac.
ter, without opportunity given to thu
accused to be heard; right praotioe
demands tho giving of such oppor.
tunity in all cases of serious &C.
cusation outside judicial proceedings
81 A newspaper should not ys inysa: "a,
sure warrant Of public right. % dis
tinguished from public curiosity.
(2) A Newspaper has no right Il
publish q private statement ascribet
to its author without his permission
| (s) It Is the privilege. as 1t 10 tn.
duty. Of newspaper to make promp'
serious mistakes Of fact or opinion
whatever their origin.
] Seventh. Decsnoy.--A noWspApei