“Daily Telegraph's” View

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 16

“Daily Telegraph's” View

Under the heading, “Changing Times,” the “Daily Telegraph” said: During its long and distinguished history, “The Times” newspaper has gone through many strange vicissitudes. Last night, however, was a turning point: subject to the Board of Trade’s permission, yet to be granted, it ceased to be an independent newspaper. Perhaps this had to be: finance may have dictated it. If so, there is no point in weeping for what cannot be helped. The group it seeks to join, moreover, is of a peculiarly loose and tolerant sort. At its head sits Lord Thomson,

who has never concealed the fact that he runs newspapers not to make propaganda, or for any higher or lower public purpose, but simply for gain. Dr. Johnson once remarked that a man was seldom so innocently employed as in making money and Lord Thomson’s record supports him. The newspapers of the Thomson Organisation cannot be called independent, but they do enjoy many of the privileges of independence. Lord Thomson has the final say, indeed, but does not often use it. Those who have a quarrel with any of his newspapers have thus a quarrel not so much with him as with his editors.

The aim of the new arrangement is to publish “The Times” and the “Sunday Times” as “non-party newspapers, having regard only for the national interest” Both papers will be “vigorously developed.” To wish every success to competitors of this calibre may look insincere. It is nothing of the sort. The level of education in this country is continuously rising. With it must rise also an intelligent interest in the world's affairs, and an appetite for straight news and informed comment. The market for good newspapers is growing. Vigorous competition will do none of us any harm: there is room for us all.