Political Reports

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19757, 11 October 1938, Page 18

Political Reports

Sir,—Can you inform me what procedure the Press Association adopts to determine the answer to the question: "vVhat constitutes news that win be of interest to the great mass of the public?” It a visitor to our fair land passes adverse comment on out labour Government it is telegraphed lrom one end of the country to the other, even though the author of lb. statement maw not have spent 24 hours in New Zealand. Likewise the statements of Professor Aigie have been given a great deal of prominence. A statement from an Austro Ran gentleman of some prominencegiving a direct contradiction to Prolessor Algie's glowing accounts t conditions existing in Australia ha. recently been issued. Also a statement has been made and a circuit published by 12 Christchurch university professors giving several reasons for supporting the Laboui Government. No 1110:1.11*1 of curie, of these statements has been n.am by the Press Association, although We are entitled to believe they would prove of interest to the public. Wc are, therefore, entitled to presume that had the 12 Christchurch university professors criticised Mr. Savage this act would have constituted news. It is only fair to add that the writer attaches no blame to the local press; the complaint is against the suppliei of news, the Press Association. — Yours, etc., LABOUR. [The correspondent’s question is answered by the following instruction issued by the Press Association to it. agents: “Particular care must be taken to eliminate any suspicion of bias or colouring from association political reports. The association is strictly non-partisan and has no object to serve beyond the impartial presentation of facts. Attacks and charge: against persons or institutions should be treated with the utmost caution. Unless the charges are made by a thoroughly responsible person and relate to /natters of genuine public interest or concern, they should not be sent. Agents must be constantly vigilant to avoid telegraphing abusive or libellous statements. Every individual, public or private, who has been attacked has the right of reply through the association, if the original report was distributed by an association agent. No reflection on the personal honour or character of any candidate or other person is to be circulated." —Ed. Herald.]