The New Zealand Truth THE PEOPLES PAPER THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1928 Elastic Conscience

NZ Truth, Issue 1167, 12 April 1928, Page 4

The New Zealand Truth THE PEOPLES PAPER THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1928 Elastic Conscience

* «> HTHE attitude lately adopted by the *" majority of the daily newspapers m this country raises the grave issue of whether— fundamentally— they represent the public interest or whether they are being steadily overtaken by the greatest of all cankers — Commercialism. A newspaper is entitled and expected to possess a policy, just as an individual is expected to hold views of his own. The strenuous advocacy of policy, therefore, is a fine and healthy thing to see, when the underlying nrge is purely one of conscience. But just precisely what necessitates a descent to palpable unfairness, militating against public Interest, has yet to be explained. Some striking paltry-mindedness has been displayed recently. And all because "New Zealand Truth," dominated by nothing more or less than clean public policy, found its charity — unaided—in the limelight of public opinion. The Identification, through an exclusive photograph, of the unfortunate Taranald soldier who was discovered languishing m a Sydney mental hospital by "Truth" is one case oh an evergrowing list. Swooping down like vultures on carrion, the majority of the dailies had their feverish fill and with an indecent flapping of very noisy wings, flew away without even a suggestion of the origin of the man's identification. That may be "policy," but it is very, very narrow. Similarly, when "Truth" — m the interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders — opened its Olympic Games appeal with £100, few dailies were keen on mentioning it and most of those who had no option carefully submerged the origin of the benefaction. Papers, some of these are. that actually claim to a big national interest m public matters and m the public welfare. How Is their bigness to be measured? If one must be fair and honest and decent m life, it is incumbent upon the individual to drop a clinging artificiality, a contracting conscience or any possible element of unfairness, uncharitableness or injustice. And if that applies to individuals, how much greater Is the need for newspapers which claim to represent — even mould— public opinion? A declining circulation of any paper will never be lowered by honesty — nor will it be looked at askance because it acknowledged the source of its news. Here is a great chance for those newspaper proprietors who have something m their nature and temperament other than L.S.D. — say, a little of the fairness they would like to see exercised m their own homes or on the playing fields, a growing sense of the fitness of things. It has never injured "Truth" to mention the name of a newspaper meritina it. Likewise, it will never injure "Truth" to mention the name of a newspaper that has strained the ethics of journalism and editorial policy. An instance, if desired. Following: "Truth's" discovery of certain "dope" trafficking m Dunedin, the Dunedin "Star" with probably (who knows?) more than one reader, lashed the air with an alleged leader on "words, words, words." Lacking literary grace, logic or journalistic etiquette, it did not merit a descent to the same level by way of reply. Sufficient for "Truth" that subsequent discoveries proved the article m this paper to the hilt, two assistants m certain, establishments being dismissed as a result of the "dope" traffic. And running the reverse way, "Truth" gives credit to the Auckland "Sun" for its admittedly usual fairness m the matter of acknowledgments. One must speak as one finds. In passing, it may be mentioned that "Truth's" policy is the greatest good for the greatest number and m that advocacy it does not ask for favor or notoriety. It Is to be remembered that the old axiom: "The greater the truth, the greater the libel" — excellent m its place, where the wholesale dispensation of law Is concerned — necessarily suppresses, to a degree, much that is deserving of censure, but yet rides precariously within the law, even though destitute of moral grace. ]^.et the dally newspapers fulfil the respectable functions of honest newssheets, backed up by a courageous policy to off- set the fairly general belief that they are lately degenerating into a diminishing utility.