The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-01-19
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BEHIND
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Released by Western Newspaper Union.
FREEDOM OF THE
PRESS AND RADIO
By PAUL MALLON =


have emanated therefrom have,
: however, disclosed that some Curl
Gus ideas about democracy and free
dom are developing in this coun-
try.
For example, it is the radio that
Is free and the press is shackled
says an unfriendly reader from
small Wisconsin community. He
reasons it out that the radio gen.
orally does not take sides in politi-
cal arguments, does not criticize
group actions of political nature,
and, therefore, is ''free," while the
newspapers, with their various edi-
torial policies, express preferences
and criticize political groups and,
therefore, are unfree.
The radio is not primarily a pub
lie service. It is an amusement
business. It's character is more that
of a theater than newspaper. 1t
handles news only as minor side
line. Also, it gets practically all its
news from the same sources as most
newspapers, the press associations.
Chosen as its commentators are
many men who have a theatrical
delivery style, not always those who
know most about news.
My Wisconsin friend is factually
wrong also in assuming radio COM
mentators did not represent both
sides in the last election. They did,
and I hope will always continue to
represent both sides strongly. To
keep political discussion free Of
criticism would bring a weak-ton-
gued nothingness in popular express
sion and further enable selfish poll
ticos to work the people for them
selves.
Here is the point where my Wis
consin friend, and so many who be-
lieve as he does, have fallen into
undemocratic decisions.
without controversy" says
Churchill, "Democracies cannot
achieve their healthening proc
esses."
Freedom is not one-sided. Poll
tically, it may be that in Russia,
and perhaps other spots in the
world, but in this democracy, free
dom of expression means the right
to be in a minority. Oppositions are
not extinguished or purged after
elections. Indeed, it means the right
to be vitriolic, or even the right
to be wrong. It requires criticism
Of all forces in politics.
Business Reasonable.
Generally, most people in the
commentating-far more than in the
political - business strive to be
reasonable and factual, but they
have the right to be unreasonable
and humorous. There are all kinds
of people on all sides of every ques-
ton. The very nature of democ-
racy assumes that they will express
themselves freely in their own way,
and, from their debate, hot or cold,
decisions will come.
The press is far more free than
radio. The air waves are under gov
eminent supervision, supposed to be
technical, but you may have noticed
the Democratic campaign pub
licity director, Paul Porter, has been
given the radio communications
commission Craftsmanship.
Certainly radio has a constant
fight ON its hands to keep itself
free, as licenses must be fire.
quently renewed and the radio
commission can at any time
drive a station out of business.
Not so with the press. It's primary
business is news and it is not under
government supervision, although
its newsprint is rationed and news
censored by government. Further
more, it has heritage in news pres
entation, evident in the mind of any
young scoop reporter, anxious to get
all the facts no matter who they
help or hurt. Competition is faster
than in any other business I know.
The fight for exclusive presenta-
ton, practical judgment, better
written newspapers, more complete
coverage, is vicious and eternal.
Editorially, every shade of public
mind is presented. By and large, it
is the newspapers which keep the
intelligent people of the country in
formed. Radio cannot do it, lacking
a medium permitting thoughtful
story or financial incentive for news
development.
Only few people seem interested
In preventing the expression public
ly Of any views except those with
which they agree. These people are
not only undemocratic but unwise.
They can never add to their own
understanding or store of knowl-
edge by listening to those who
agree with them. They can learn
much from those who disagree.
A restless appetite for something
called freedom" Is loose in the
land. The youth wants it.
This is what war is being fought
for. Most of the internationally agi-
tating societies in New York also
have the word freedom attached to
their titles-Polish, Russian, inter-
nationalist, what not.
But what is this freedom" for
which we yearn? II must be some