The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1948-10-07
THE CANONS OF JOURNALISM

There could be better time than Newspaper Week for
The Journal rededicae itself the high purposes of the
profession best expressed in the Canons of Journalism
adopted 1923 by the American Society of Newspaper Ed
and endorsed associations and other
of newspapermen.
The primary function of newspapers is to communicate
to the human what its members do, feel and think
Journalism therefore, demands of its practitioners the widest
range of intelligence of knowledge and of experience
well natural trained powers of observation and
sonng To it's opportunities chronicle ndssoluby
linked it's obligations teacher and interpreter.
To the end of finding means of codifying sound
practice and just aspirations of American Journalism these
set forth:
ID Responsibity-The right of newspaper to attract
and hold readers restricted by nothing but considerations
of public welfare The newspaper makes of the share
of public attention it gains serves to determine its
staff journalist who his for selfish
otherwise unworthy purpose is fahless to high trust
(2 Freedom of the Press-Freedom of the press is to
be guarded vital right of mankind 1t is the unqueston
able right by law including the wisdom of restrcabe
institutions nseparaby joined it's responsibilities for
intelligent fidelity to the Constitution of the United States
60 Experimentation from all obligations except
that of fidelity to the public interest is vital
A. Promotion of any private interest contrary to the
general welfare for whatever not compatible with
honest journalism So-called news communlcatons from
private should not be published without public notice
of their else subsanaton of the claims value
as news both in form and substance.
B. Partsanship in editorial comment which knowingly
departs from the truth does violence to the best spirit of
American journaism in the columns it subversive
of fundamental principle of the profession.
( Sincerity Truthfulness, AccuracyGood faith with
the reader is the foundation of all journalism worthy of
the
A. By every consideration of good faith newspaper
to be truthful 1t be excused for
lack of thoroughness within its control Or failure
to obtain command of these essential qualities.
B. Headlines should be fully warranted by the contents
of the articles which they surmount
(5) mpartiaity-Sound practice makes clear distinc-
ton between reports and expressions of opinion News
reports should be free from opinion bias of any kind
This rule does not apply to socaed special articles
mistakab devoted to advocacy characterized by sigma
reSauthorzng the writer's conclusions and nterpre-
tations.
(6) Fair Playa newspaper should not publish unof-
cal charges affecting reputation moral character with
opportunity given to the accused to be heard right
tce demands the giving of such opportunity in all of
serious accusation outside judicial proceedings
A newspaper should not invade rights of private feel
ings without warrant of public right distinguished
from public curiosity.
B. 1t is the privilege it the duty, of newspaper
to make prompt and complete correction of its serious
mistakes of fact opinion whatever their origin.
CD Decency-A newspaper cannot escape conviction of
insncerity it, while processing high moral purpose sup
plies incentives to base conduct, such be found
in details of crime and vice. publication of which is not
demonstraby for the general good Lacking authority to
enforce its the journalism here represented but
express the hope that deliberate panderng to vicious
sncs will encounter effective public dsapproval yield
to the influence of preponderant professional condem
nation.