NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENCE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12457, 5 February 1909, Page 3

NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENCE.

(Special to "The Colonist.") Christbliiifclii-'Feb.' 4. : The "Lyttelton ; limes, '[ in an editorial, says: — A nice point in tbe ethics ot newspaper correspondence is raised inthe exchange ofyiews between the Rev. Father Hickson and the editor of the "New Zealand Times." We are naturally, not disposed to intervene between the. Weir lington. journalist ; and his- critic, but the discussion gives -usNan ; opportu nity to clear, up .one'-or-'twaiinatters. on, wliich newspaper, readers are not generally well mforiiied; In our own view, the 'publication -of Father'Hickson's letter was. inexcusable. The traditions of British journalism draw a very sharp line between 'the correspondence of the business ; side ' : of a newspaper and the literary side, and even when the manager and. editor _of the journal happen to be the same in^dividual, he is not entitled to continue in the 'columns of a newspaper a discussion commenced privately with the commercial oflice. The matter of the controversy, however, ■-; is admittedly of 1 wide - pubhc interest. The idea , that in these days of the '•'Freedom of the Press" (that sadly abused phrase) a newspaper should open its columns to the -unrestricted discusion of all sorts of questions is, we know, commonly held, but it is by no means the whole truth. Every reputable journal imposes restrictions upon its correspondence. There . is first and foremost the law of liberty to be Observed. No journal is justified in publishing a wanton attack upon an individual. The very power that it possesses compels it morally, as well as legally, to exercise a close supervision on the matter that it publishes, and morally, as well. as legally, it should be able to justify the publication even of the bare truth, by showing thalt it has regard only for the welfare of the public. But, apart from, the law of libel, there is a very potent influence that keeps a newspaper within bounds. It is the influence of qublic opinion. There are not many, daily newspapers without "views" of their own, and the purpose of the ; ordinary secular newspaper, apart from the dissemination of views, is to preach its policy to as wide a circle of read.ers as possible. If its "policy" is political, it does not wantonly offend sections of its readers by publishing articles offensive to religious feelings. . If it selects to throw open its columns' to the ■ unrestricted" discusrsion of religious questions, it is not entitled to complain if some oif. its readers protest. Father Hickson may be accused of threatening to boyjcott the "New Zealand Times," yet to our minds he was perfectly within' his rights, and lie simply had -the courage to express his views openlyl we may, or may not, agree with his .views of the pernicious nature ofthe article to winch he took exception! but we cannot honestly condemn him for protesting, ; any more than . we' should quarrel with a parent who declined .to. .let his children read tha reports of ' divorce proceedings. Tho editor must, always decide for him j : self whether he will admit any par-) ticular,' article" to rhis": journal,-,; but having admitted" it 'he .should accept' .the consequences. ;