Evening star., 1951-09-09
Peron Declares Press
Should Abandon Idea
I0f Absolute Freedom
BY the Assoeiaied Press

BY the Associoied Press
BUENOS AIRES. Sept. 8. -
President Juan D. Peron told the
Argentine National Press Congress
today it's policies would coincide
with his own if the congress ac-
cepts three main principles. in
cluding the "justicialist" concept
for abandonment of absolute free
dom of the press.
(Justicialist is derived from
justicia, the Spanish word for
justice.)
The president and Mrs. Peron
|attended the closed final session
of the first national congress of
newspapermen. 1t adopted reso-
luton recommending that domes-
tic news served to Argentine news
papers should be handled by
Argentine news agencies.
Gives His Principles.
Peron said his three principles
in justicialist policy for Argentine
newspapermen are:
1-Subordinate interest to ideal.
"2-Exercise freedom of the
press within the justicialist con-
ception of a socially just freedom.
Dedication to) permanent
service to great national objec-
tives: Social justice, economic in
dependence. political sovereignty" "
Peron condemned what he
called "mercenary newSmen" who
delivered into alien hands their
formidable weapon" The Presi-
dent did not elaborate on that
theme.
Sees abuse of Freedom"
Peron said justicialism def
initely abandoned the old concep-
ton of absolute freedom because
it believes absolute freedom is the
best road toward abuse of freedom
which leads to exploitation by a
few in the face of weakness of the
overwhelming majority of the peo-
pile"
Mrs. Peron told the congress
has got journalism as it de-
serves"
The Congress resolution recon-
mending Argentine handling of
domestic news for Argentine pa
pers also suggested that Argen-
tine agencies, newspapers and
magazines should keep Argentine
correspondents posted in foreign
places to report to Argentine
papers.
Wants Native Staffs..
The resolution said: Foreign
news agencies wishing to main
tain national news service within
the Argentine Republic should
preferably be stated by native
personnel"
(The United Press is the only
foreign news agency distribu-
ting Argentine domestic news
to Argentine newspapers now.
The Associated Press distributes
news from outside Argentina to
Argentine newspapersD
Another resolution recommend
ed that the local press should give
priority to Argentine news over
news Of events abroad.
The congress created a ina
tional press organization" to con-
tinue work started by the con-
gress. Staff members Of Argen-
tine magazines. news agencies and
newspapers attended.
Resolution Interpreted.
The resolution urging domestic
news distribution by national
agencies apparently put the con-
gress on record only for exclu-
sion of international agencies from
domestic news collection and dis
tribution.
1t was not interpreted as a bar
against international agencies
gathering domestic news for dis
tribution outside Argentina.
The resolution gave no indica.
ton how the Argentine monopoly
might be carried out nor did il
advocate government ownership
or control of Argentine agencies.
The presidential Office already
has exclusive rights to release al
government news to newspaper,
and agencies. However, some gov
ernment departments and officials
release statements direct after
presidential press approval.
The government now is in the
process Of taking over the prop
erty of the independent news
paper La Prensa. which was q
frequent strong critic of the Peron
regime. The paper was first closed
by a news vendors strike and
boycotts and then by congress
sional action. Peron has indi-
Gated the paper might be turned
over to labor unions.