IT MIGHT BECOME A VOGUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 9

IT MIGHT BECOME A VOGUE

Although many newspapers are not averse to stimulating sales by appeals to morbid imagination, some are mindful of their responsibility in printing and emphasin-g such reading matter, says the Christian Science Alonitor. A case in point is the Toronto Star's delicacy of feeling in issuing a special edition consisting of one copy from whieh all mention was deleted regarding the slaying of Ruth Taylor and the arrest of Harry. O’Donnell, chraged w’ith the crimp. The “edition” was the arrest of Harry O’Donnell, chaf'd and delivered to her in a materndy hospital. The incident indicates recognition in newspaper circles that crime news may be cruel, dangerous and nonessential. Since the deleterious shock of crime news on the thought of the innocently involved is recognized, it may be time to consider the effect that incessant day-by-day hammering of such news may have on the thought of the general readers. Afany editors are coming to sec that one of the tendencies in the more reputable newspapers is toward a better balance between actual news and stories that merely repeat another episode in the long, repetitious tale of crime. The Toronto Star deserves praise for the consideration shown Airs. O ’Donnell It might be interesting for others to try the same'experiment on the whole body of their readers.