CURBING PRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 110, 5 November 1937, Page 10

CURBING PRESS

GOVERNMENT MOVE

POLITICAL ARTICLES

ALL TO BE SIGNED

The Government is contemplating legislative action against the newspapers of the Dominion in the direction of requiring them to disclose the identities of those responsible for certain classes of written matter appearing in their columns.

In the first place, it is understood that It is intended to ensure that those who contribute articles and reports dealing with political subjects should sign their contributions. This proposal will apply only to political reporters and commentators, although during an election campaign all reported speeches will have to be signed by the persons who reported them.

Another object of the proposed Bill, it is believed, is to prevent the publication of anonymous correspondence and interviews dealing with questions of a political nature, or having a political significance,.

During the present session a good deal has been heard from the Government side of the House about the alleged unfair treatment accorded the Government and Government members by the newspapers, and the proposed legislation, which, it is stated, will operate from the beginning of the coming, year, is the outcome of representations made by members of the Government party for disciplinary action as far as the'newspapers are concerned.