“Publish And Be Damned”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30761, 27 May 1965, Page 11

“Publish And Be Damned”

fN.Z.P A .-Reuter—Copy rig hl >

LONDON, May 25.

Lord Shawcross, a hamster and a former Labour Government Minister, today urged newspapers to be courageous in investigating matters of public concern and commenting fearlessly upon them.

Speaking at the opening in London of the annual assembly of the International Press Institute, he said: “Subject to taking the greatest care about this, to acting in good faith and with a true sense of public responsibility. I would say that in cases where the law seems in doubt, newspapers should take their courage in both hands.

"I repeat the famous advice publish and be damned.”

He told about 250 editors, publishers and news executives from 32 non Communist countries he had been impressed by the care generally taken by newspapers to prevent anything untrue from being published.

The general public interest would not be served if newspapers were able with complete immunity falsely to besmirch the reputation of citizens, Lord Shawcross said. Public Concern

“On the other hand it is equally in the public interest

that the press should not be I unduly inhibited in probing i into and investigating matters of public concern and commenting fearlessly upon them. “Mny matters of public scandal have rightly been brought to light in this way.” It was a question of balance, and the law’s function was to maintain that balance, but in Britain in recent years the balance seemed to have been tilted rather against the press, he said.

Mr Barry Bingham, chairman of the 1.P.1. executive board, said the perpetual challenge* of press freedom took many forms in manv different areas of the world. Mr Bingham, who directs the "Courier” journal. Louisville. Kentucky, said freedom of the press was the ideal around which the International Press Institute was built.

“I submit, however, that press freedom in our troubled world today is not a graven image to be worshipped with ritual incantations.” "Three Faces” Press freedom today presented three different faces which they should all recognise. “Where one face is turned, there is an old tradition of press freedom which is not seriously threatened by any outside force.” he said. "In the direction which another face confronts there is also a tradition of press freedom, but one which is heavily besieged by political, economic and social forces.

“Every member of this organisation will know of places where our colleagues in journalism are sore beset today. 1.P.1. must give them aid in every way possible.” Mr Bingham said the third face of press freedom was turned towards those States which had not yet attained a tradition of journalistic liberty but which were working hopefully in that direction. “1.P.1. must encourage that

process with skill and imagiI nation,” he said. "The duty of 1.P.1. towards the press whose freedom is sorely threatened is to keep the fires of hope and determination burning. “Sometimes a public warning of danger, carrying the world-wide prestige of our organisation, can prevent a deadly blow from falling.”