Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-09
Newspapers and Politics

while the great majority of American nex,paper,
were more or less partisan in the recent campaign. the
Hoh-partisanship displayed in connection with political
news was one of the most striking features of the bit.
teriy fought battle.
That greatest Of news-Eathering agencies. The As
soSiated Press, serving thousands Of daily papers Of
every political complexion. gained the approval of all
party leaders for the absolutely impartial manner in
"nien campaign newss was handled. Herbert Hoover,
uoNernor Smith. and Senators Curtis and Robinson, in
ie.ters to The Associated Press during the closing
Gays OF the campaign, expressed their a2proval of the
noh-partisan manner in which political news was han
died Every representative of the news-gathering
agency was instructed to report only facts, and any
oias was promptly "bluc-peneiled" by the wire editors.
The great majority Of daily newspapers, regardless
OF their editorial stand upon the political questions in
volved, gave republicans and democrats equal display
IN their news columns. While their editorial columns
were more or less partisan, their news columns were
not, and the newspaper reading public was enabled TO
secure a fair and impartial delineation of the issues
involved.
The New York Times. in an editorial published last
Sunday. two days before the national election, has the
following to say regarding the Associated Press and
the service il rendered the American people during the
recent campaign:
what the press has done in gathering and printing
political news this year has never been surpassed for
accuracy, fullness and impartiality. This has been
particularly true Of The Associated Press. They have
faithfully reported the speeches Of candidates and the
leading campaigners of both parties; have given faith
full accounts Of the activities and utterances Of polit-
ical committees, national state and local; have covered
the important news affecting the election from all
parts Of the country, and have done it without partisan
bias or color. SO far as has appeared, not a single
complaint has been made Of unfairness or prejudice
in the wholesome and continuous supply of informa-
ton by this great news-gathering agency. Serving as
H. docs newspapers that are republican. democratic and
independent. it naturally would seek to- avoid anything
which might betray a partisan inclination. But to have
succeeded 50 remarkably in giving uncolored political
news is an achievement which deserves recognition both
by the public and the newspaper calling"
Governor Smith, in a letter to The Associated Press
during the closing days Of the campaign, said:
AT the outset Of the campaign I received a letter
from you reststing the we'll known non-partissn posi-
ton of The Associated Press. In that communication
YOU said The Associated Press again would do its best
TO be fair and accurate and present an unbiased report
to its members.
"The end Of the campaign is now At hand and ] wish
10 congratulate you and the personnel Of your organi-
cation on the work it has done. have followed The
Associated Press reports as closely as the demands of
campaigning would permit. and this report, in my
opinion. has been an accurate one Of what has taken
place.
"You have set forth my views and position fairly
and | wish to congratulate you and the members OF
your staff assigned TO me"