Evening star., 1944-04-22
Editors Resolutions
Aim al Assurance
OF Free News Flow

Resolutions seeking to guarantee
the unrestricted flow of news to the
American public were adopted today
by the American Society of News
paper Editors at the Statler Hotel.
The organization also went on
record against the maintenance of
membership clause in labor union
contracts affecting editorial en-
ployes and described this measure
as a threat to the unbiased report
ing of news and repugnant to the
basic principle of free American
journalism.
Other resolutions accepted by the
membership were:
l. Support of worldwide freedom
OF communications and the press
and condemnation of the practice of
regarding the press as an instrument
of the Government.
Pledge Freedom of Press.
2. A pledge ito remain keenly
alert in defense of freedom of the
press" and to accept "in full meas
ure" the responsibilities of such
freedom
3. A hope that news concerning
the crucial struggles ahead" will be
quickly given to the American
public.
4. Demand that the fullest infor-
nation concerning international
conferences bearing on the war.
peace settlement and peace table
negotiations be released to the
public.
S. A demand that Government
agencies permit free flow of news
to the press, as opposed to the sys-
tenn OF press agent handing out in
formation in the form of releases.
s. The conviction that the best
interests of the United States will
be served if the handling of foreign
news Is returned to the regular
news-gathering agencies after the
war instead of being handled
through the Government.
Z. Insistence that correspondents
of all nations be allowed equitable
use of all communications to allow
for the free flow of news to all parts
of the world.
Memorial for Editors Widow.
The society also voted to draw up
E memorial to be given to Mrs. Will
liam Allen White, widow of the
Emporia (Kans.) Gazette editor,
who was for many years a member
Of the society.
Congratulations to foreign CORE
spondents for their distinguished
reporting of the war also was voted.
A paper, which was to have been
delivered by David Lawrence, COL
umnlst and editor of the United
States News, was presented to mem
bers inasmuch as Mr.. Lawrence was
prevented by illness from attending.
The columnist expressed alarm over
attacks on the first amendment |
guaranteeing press freedom and
proposed a new constitutional
amendment to protect what he
termed the most important of the
-Four Freedoms" against the mis-
chief of class-minded judges or an
intolerant majority in Congress"
Under the terms of Mr.. Lawrence's
suggested amendment, the press and
radio would be protected against
regulation by Congress or executive
agencies except when offenses are
committed against the common law
governing fraud, obscenity, libel or
treason.
I think it is high time" Mr..
Lawrence stated, that the editors
of America realize that in almost
every case in which the first
was invoked as a pro-
lection in recent years as against
labor legislation, the decision has
invariably been against the validity
OF such a contention
Safeguard Postal Power.
Mr.. Lawrence also warned the
editors against possible abuse of the
postal power. He said, THE rights
of the press have been gradually
curtailed by process of judicial
attrition that has escaped general
notice" 1t is not to be doubted, he
said, that if Congrss "at any time
desires to regulate the conduct of
the press it may do so under the
second-class mail statutes"
John S. Knight, president-elect.l