AN INDIGNANT NEWSPAPER.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1301, 7 October 1922, Page 5

AN INDIGNANT NEWSPAPER.

THREAT OF ALLEGED ■ LIBEL Thus the King Country Chronicle:' "We have received a letter from a ! business cgncern operating in the district, to which strong objection is taken by this paper. A contemporary has criticised the affair of this business, and we were warned that if this paper republished the criticism, legal action would be instituted against us. It might be mentioned that we had, up to the time of receiving the letter mentioned above, never seen the article referred to, and in any case, have no intention of re-publishing it. We do, however, consider that to make a threat in this way is a serious matter, and calls for a severe reprimand for those responsible. A newspaper's primary object is to work for the good of the community. If it does not fulfil that obligation it is failing in its duty to the public. It cannot do this if the press is to be dictated to in the manner stated above. This paper is quite willing to stand the responsibility of a libel action, but prefers to use its own judgment in the matter and not take an outside opinion. If we: had gone to the length of re-publishing the article referred to, we are thoroughly satisfied, since perusing it, that there are no libellous statements contained therein. However, there can be nothing gained by doing so, and therefore we do not intend to do anything concerning it. We again repeat, however, that we reserve to ourselves the right to take our own course of action in these matters, and decline to be bluffed into any policy at the threat of any person or concern.