The Dominion. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1915. THE DANGER OF RECKLESS CRITICISM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2634, 3 December 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1915. THE DANGER OF RECKLESS CRITICISM

The mischievous tone and tendency of a type of criticism adopted at times by the Northcuffe Press in its references to the conduct of the war has given rise to a widespread feeling of indignation and resentment. The public will pot soon forget the bitter, and quite unjustifiable attack, on Lord Kitchener. It. caused. a sharp storm of angry protest in Britain, and tho majority of people in all parts of the Empire felt that, the War Minister had been assailed in a most improper manner. This was only _an exceptionally glaring incident in the ceaseless campaign of the Times and Daily Mail against tho Government and its works as far as the war is concerned. The _ resentment against the controversial methods ot the Northcuffe newspapers has been gradually increasing in intensity, and many level-headed people have come to the conclusion that this sweeping and reckless kind of criticism is, at a time like the present, a real danger to the nation. This view is taken by public men representing all political parties. No 'one wants to interfere with the freedom of legitimate criticism; but it is the positive duty of those in authority to take action to prevent the publication of anything in the shape of news or comment which is likely to injure the Empire and its Allies or to assist our enemies. It is contended, and not without reason, that some of the articles which have -appeared in the Northcuffe papers have tended to weaken the prestige of the Empire, and have hindered the Government' in its efforts to grapple successfully' with the tremendously difficult situations which have been created since the commencement of the struggle. The Home Secretary (Sir John Simon) has now felt it necessary to direct the attention of Parliament to the matter. He is of opinion that the- Northcuffe Press, however unintentional it may have been, has contributed 'to the propaganda of the enemy, and is doing serious harm b 0 discouraging our Allies, misleading neutrals, and reviving the flagging hopes of our enemies. This_ is a grave charge. The _ responsibilities of a newspaper in times of war are very great. The public interest demands that the right of free criticism must be retained, but it is of paramount importance that in the exercise of this right ■ the fullest consideration; should be given to the effect 'likelv bo created abroad as well as at_ _ home. In'" view oi the critical position which has developed _ in the Balkans, for instance, it might,be most damaging to the Empire's cause to publish anything likely _to produce the impres-sion-that Britain and her Allies were losing their grip on the situation, or to cast doubt on their ability'and determination to attain the objccts they have in view".

It is not criticism in itself that is objected to, _ but that undesirable type of criticism which has become associated in the public mind witli the Northcliffe Press. A newspaper may bo compelled to draw attention to weaknesses and shortcomings, but every care should be taken to avoid the possibility of. producing an-'effect more injurious. than the evils sought to be remedied. If the Northcliffe papers had contented_ themselves with directing the attention of the authorities to defects in administration, or to anything else that might hamper, the nation in its effort to bring the war to a triumphant end, they would have deserved commendation rather than condemnation. The mischief they are doing'lies in their exaggerations, their unwarranted deductions, and their lack of a proper sense of proportion. They may have occasionally drawn attention quite justifiably toi weak spots in the nation's armour, and fastened upon some cases of negligence or incompetence; in fact they have at times done these things, but even where their criticism has been in. a measure warranted the . lack'of restraint Bhown ■ and the attempts to magnify the importance of given conditions and happenings have too frequently minimised the good that might have been done. There has also been _an unpleasant strain of personal vindictiveness in much of the criticism directed against Ministers and persons in authority, quite out of_ place at a time like the present, this- being especially noticeable in the columns of the Daily Mail. Our Allies do not quite know what to think, while our enemies further distort the distortions of this section of the British Press, with the object of discrediting our Empire in the eyes of those neutral nations which are balancing the pros and cons of the situation, and are extremely anxious to be on the winning side. The Times and Daily Mail are not being attacked because they have criticised the Government's slackness and blunders. Other papers have been quite as effective in their criticism of Ministerial shortcomings without giving our enemies the class of material which may be used to our disadvantage.