BRITISH PRESS CRITICISED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27367, 4 June 1954, Page 11

BRITISH PRESS CRITICISED

Resolution By Women’s Institutes „ LONDON," June 2. Newspapers which give prominence to lurid reports and pictures, were condemned at the annual meeting of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. The resolution deplored the increasing tendency of some sections of the newspapers to give headlines and front-page prominence to lurid reports and pictures which are of no interest to decent families, and may do definite harm to the younger members of a family.

We feel that our free enlightened press is a subject for pride and a safeguard for our liberties,” said the mover. “If it is true that the papers give the public what they want the present state of affairs is our own fault, and it is for us to find a remedy by sustained and well-founded protests.”

Young people could not be kept isolated from life, and they needed the information, comment and criticism that a good newspaper provided. Another delegate, however, said that it did not make the slightest difference what a child read if its home background was right. ‘lf you forbid a child to read a certain newspaper, that is the one it will go out and buy,” she added. “Aren’t we perhaps hypocritical on this subject? Everybody in our institute reads the papers concerned.” Then she paused and said: “Shall I say it? Yes, we like our newspapers dirty.” There was a loud buzz of disapproval and the resolution was carried.