Evening star., 1949-10-18
Letters to The Star
Self Regulation Essential
To Freedom Of Press
To the Editor OF The Star:

Self Regulation Essential
To Freedom Of Press
To the Editor Of The Star:
I should like to commend your recent
editorial regarding the Governments suit
against the Lorain (Ohio) Journal. Your
two points are we'll taken, and your second
one is certainly apropos Of National News
paper Week.
First, If the Journal is refusing to accept
advertising broadcast over certain radio
stations and published In certain competing
newspapers as the Government alleges, then
the Journal should be ordered to desist from
such action. Second. by crying interference
with freedom of the press, the publishers
Of the Journal are bringing opprobfium
upon the press as whole.
I believe, regretfully, that the Journals
defense is that of far too many newspapers,
and feel that The Stars enlightened and
courageous sta ID will be unpopular among
many PUBLISH rs. 1t is in direct disagree
ment with the opinion expressed by Editor
and Publisher, the leading trade journal
To the Governments allegations that the
Journal refused certain advertisements be-
cause they had been published in other
media. Editor and Publisher brashly asks.
What Of it," What of It, too, If the owners
of the journal are doing this in order to
put themselves In position to acquire other
newspaper properties; and what of It, too, If
the Journal agrees with other newspapers
not to compete in certain areas for circula-
ton and advertising, Editor and Publisher
says. Then the trade journal charges: "The
Department Of Justice seeks an injunction
to prevent the Lorain paper from refusing
to publish any advertisement with excep-
ton Of advertisements in violation of Ohio
or United States law)." Surely Editor and
Publisher must be acquainted with enough
civil suits which have come to decision to
know that q newspaper can refuse adver-
tising for almost any reason or for no
reason other than it does not like some ones
complexion. OF course. only the courts can
decide the case against the Journal, which
seems to be championing free enterprise for
itself, with little regard for other news
papers.
Then Editor and Publisher says in effect:
press a common carrier and open to all
advertising. II it regulates advertising, it
will regulate rates. II it regulates rates.
soon it will regulate the editorial content
Such regulation OF advertising and/or
editorial content would mean the end Of
free press as we know it,"
Tom Wallace Of the Louisville Times once
epitomized Editor and Publishers concept
when he said that a publishers idea Of
Neeoom OF the press Is the right to drive
circulation truck through a red light In
my opinion. Editor and Publisher is doing
the press and even the public gross dis
service. Its kind Of thinking makes the
public want Government regulation which
In the end the public knows would be HARM
ful. believe the press is a quasi-public
institution which must regulate itself with
the aid Of the best public opinion. To the end
Of self-regulation The Stars editorial Is most
fortnight and timely. It Is what the Editor
and Publisher editorial is not: an important
contribution to freedom Of the press.
EVERETT w. WTTHERS.