PRESS FREEDOMS IN BRITISH COLONIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 June 1950, Page 5

PRESS FREEDOMS IN BRITISH COLONIES

OTTAWA, June 15 (Recd. 6pm).— The Imperial Press conference today discussed proposals for the advancement of Press freedom in British colonies. Delegates heard complaints of restrictive actions against the Press by Governments of the colonies, and they listened also to defence of Press legislation by a Colonial Office spokesman. The Jamaican delegate asked the union council to offer its services to the Colonial Office to investigate irresponsible publications and to help correct any such situations. Failing an improvement the council should advise on any necessary legislation. This suggestion found general acceptance. The Indian and Pakistani delegations said newspapers in the colonies should establish committees to advise their respective colonial Governments. This suggestion was opposed by Mr R. D. Horton (New Zealand). “It is the function of the Press to give information; it should never become an executive,” he said. “I for o** - would abhor any arrangement that might lead to my colleagues sitting in judgment on me.” Brigadier R. F. Johnson, of the Colonial Office, said part of the colonial problem was that in under-developed areas there was a tendency of many inhabitants to think a thing was true because it was in print. “There does not exist a large body of enlightened public opinion that provides a safeguard in more advanced areas,” he said. “What we are seeking is peaceful and orderly development in the colonies. Too much Press freedom might lead to sudden violence, flamed by a misunderstanding. If we granted uncontrolled Press freedom at this stage I think we might find the shortest cut would prove the longest way round.”