[ESTABLISHED 1875.] Manawatu Daily Times The Oldest Manawatu Journal. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY OCTOBER 17 1913 IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 2053, 17 October 1913, Page 4

[ESTABLISHED 1875.] Manawatu Daily Times The Oldest Manawatu Journal. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY OCTOBER 17 1913 IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM

One of the things expected of a journalist in the pay of some sections of the Reform party is that he shall be economical of the truth. Ho must be prepared to "lend" himself if he wishes to prosper under this particular rabid brand of Reform. If he is a political r porter he must colour his outlook and put truth iti the "background. Certain journals have got so accustomed to expect this sort of thing, and have practised it so assiduously themselves that they naturally brieve all others must be like them. Lamb, for instance tells you that a m*n who is accus'om'dto exagger»tion or suppressions of the truth judges everyone else upon bis unconscious estimate of him-elf. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that one Reform writer, a writer in tbe leading columns of tbß Christchu ch Press—refuses to believe the facts about Monday night's Liberal meeting ia the Palmer ton opeva bui suggests to his rpaders that the report supplied by the Press Association was biassed wi h Liberal colour. He knows that the report is de j natched from the Manawatu Times office ; he is aware of our politics, and he draws his own conclu ions and given them to his readers. He then proceeds to ridicule the Libera* meetiug as a " Curious Liberal Rally." As a matter of fact the report sent out was mild in comparison to the 1 enthusiastic statements of the Pont and New Zealand Times, both of whom had representatives present. It was mild in comparison to the encomiums b-stowed upon it, editorially, by our local contemporary who cannot be accused of bias in favour of " So-called Liberalism." It is pitiable that the truth when unpalatable cannot be accept-d between journals; it lowers the whole status of journalism in the eye 3 of the public, and mars its influence. It is this sort of irresponsible tactics that earns the contemjt of all journalists who place reputation above their mere bread and butter. It was con-p cuous for some time in Wellington and has now transferred itself to Christchurch, and apparently it is giving good value for its money.