Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-02-01

OF getting while the getting is good.
Political labels have nothing to do
with honesty, integrity and ability
You can find those attributes among
persons in all political parties, just
as selfishness and racketeering are
also to be found there, the Investigat-
ing Committee to the contrary not
withstanding.
But, coming back to the original
point about adhering to the truth,
not exaggerating, and the control
of the press, let us see how some
Minnesota newspapers behave now
that they have the state administra-
ton of their choice.
One of the most generally read
departments of the metropolitan
dailies of Minnesota and in America
as whole is the so-called public
Forum" or readers column, in which
various persons make comments on
current events, public officials, and
political movements. A large por-
ton of the subscribers read these
letters from the people" and are in
fluenced by them. For that reason
it behooves the editors of the metro
politan newspapers to be absolutely
fair in their conduct of the "Public
Forum" They should show no favor
itism. For instance, they should give
the supporters of President Roose-
welt the same right to be heard as
his opponents, and the critics of the
Minnesota state administration are
just as much entitled to a hearing
as its defenders and eulogists
1t is just as reprehensible for daily
newspapers to be unfair in their treat
ment of letters from the people, as
to deliberately color the news of cur
rent events. Such newspapers have
the right, and are expected to cham
pion their own policies in their edi-
torial columns, urge support of Ger
tain candidates for public office, and
attack or criticize others. But in the
publication of news, and in their
public Forum" they should be un-
biased There should be no coloring
of news, no Misrepresentation or
half-truths, and those who oppose the
editorial policy of a certain news
paper should have the same right to
speak their minds in its columns as
those who uphold its policies and
political favorites.
Advertising is newspapers stock
in trade, and if letters from the read
ers resort to plain advertising, the edi-
tors can, and naturally should leave
out such free advertising. But, the
treatment should be alike to all
A large metropolitan daily news
paper receives many more letters
from its readers than can be pub
lished, for lack of space. Assuming
therefore that they can publish but
a fraction of the letters, the editors
can pick the kind they like, and dis
regard those conflicting with their
viewpoint, or choose from that group
such as are poorly written, unsound,
and ineffective. In this manner the
newspaper can, and does promulgate
its own propaganda even in the read
ers' column.
The st. Paul Pioneer Press and
| Dispatch, under one ownership and
management, are not owned by any
political organization, but are headed
in the direction of political propa-
ganda sheets through their service to
and collaboration with the present
state political administration. If the
publishers want to maintain the repu-
tation of legitimate newspapers and
serve their readers in a representa-
| tive manner, it might be well for
them to reflect and not continue to
slide toward the position of polit-
ical party propaganda sheet.
The Pioneer Press and Dispatch
have a managing editor with liberal
background and therefore might be
expected to display more tolerance
and pursue democratic policy, but
the fact that they are alone in the
daily field in the capital city likely
makes them feel secure.
Free competition of ideas is an
essential to the maintenance of de-
mderacy. It is an admission of weak
ness to be unwilling to submit the
position of the editor to this COM
petition. If the press is too partial
toward the administration, it deprives
that administration of wholesome
and necessary criticism.
The bigger newspapers show signs
of getting into a rut There is too
much samenesS; lack of debate be-
tween editorial writers as of old, and
consequently less championing of
causes. The tendency is to pick safe
issues and attitudes-to give just a
dainty slap on the wrist. There is
lack of courage. When there is
little or no difference between news
papers, no distinct services are being
rendered, and consequently the ten
dency is toward fewer papers and
monopoly in the daily field such as
now exists in st. Paul.
1t is fully realized that the conduct
of the press is not the paramount
issue of the day. Setting our eco
nomic house in order is much more
important. Strengthening out the
press might be considered prelim-
mary step. Our primary problem is