YELLOW JOURNALISM.

Waikato Times, Volume 95, Issue 14949, 20 May 1922, Page 9 (Supplement)

YELLOW JOURNALISM.

PRIVATE INTERESTS OR PUBLIC.

(By “Marama.")

We have recently had a great outcry about the Times’ report of Mr Lloyd George’s threat to the French delegate at Genoa. The episode .s a characteristic example of the evils incidental to journalism conducted - under modern conditions. Lout Northcliffe aspires to . the position of King maker. lie assisted largely in turning Mr Balfour out of office in 1906. In 1916 he brought about Mr Asquith’s downfall, with the assistance of Mr Lloyd George. He,

has since quarrelled with Mr Lloyd George, and pursues him vindictively in :the hope of obtaining one more scalp. Whether such action is good for the country is a secondary matter; it is good business for Lord Northcliffe’s papers, which cater for a class that demands a succession of sensations. These are not to be obtained by the support of any Government, but may proceed from attacks upon whoever is in authority. That these papers occasionally do good by making public what .would otherwise be hushed up is quite true, but that does not touch the problem that exists, which is how to obtain a standard of honour, good feeling, public interest, where it does not already exist. The unfortunate thing is that it often pays better to ignore these qualities, and that in the competition between private and public interests the latter goes to the wall. Wisdom is Justified of her Children. The solution of the problem is doubtless education, but then it is a solution that will take so long to apply. For the education required is very much more than the capacity to read, to write, and to make out an invoice. Education taken up to that point is responsible for the present condition of affairs. Vast numbers of people who hav.e been accustomed to take the smallest interest in public affairs have within the last 50 years learnt to read and to regard the daily paper as a daily pleasure. They do not want anything beyond the merest scrap of public affairs, and are more interested in sport, scandal, the drama, or the last shocking accident. ,The education that is required is that which will enable men to take an intelligen interest in public matters, and one that will also give a taste in that direction, without in any way shutting out other tastes. Education of this kind is not to be given in school, or brought about by any change in the syllabus. It is a plant of slow growth, fostered by life and'by observation as well as by books. Democracy to be successful requires a people educated to this standard. We are living at that particular period when power has been acquired, although large numbers are not yet capable of using it rightly. Keeping the Mind In Blinkers^ One method of coping with the journalistic problem which has been sug gested is the running of co-operative newspapers. In Britain the co-operative K' movement lias attained great prosper- ' Ity, and it is qtuite strong enough to undertake such work. There is much to be said for the idea, and it is posC. S ible that we may see some such development, but there is a danger also inherent’ in any such system which should be avoided if _ possible If a number of people of similar opinions combined to provide a paper for themselves its news and its comments will meet their views so exactly that they will read nothing else. Such a state of mind is not uncommon today) arid it would be increased by cooperative newspapers. We all read with pleasure the sentiments and news which /agree with our preconceived Ideas, and dread 1 to, come across that which may put us to the tiouble of forming a fresh opinion. The Reign of Free Speech.

The whole journalistic problem is increased and complicated by the necessity of preserving the right of free speech. This generation does not adequately appreciate the importance of this matter, and the majority would be willing to deny the minority the right of free speech. Yet the denial of this right ! has always been felt to be one of the worst instances of tyranny practised by the Empires which have lately passed away. When people can give voice to their complaints, half the bitterness disappears. Any attempt to ■ regulate the Press by the State would quickly ’result in danger. We should have secret pamphlets, libellous and mischievous, and sought after by the ignorant because they were secret. The consequences that result from licensing the press can all be read in Macaulay’s History, and are an illuminating chapter. We are greatly in need, , of a remedy, but that would make i matters worse. At present Govemf ,ments confine themselves to propaganda, and put their side of a case forward with such embellishments as they can devise, often feeble enough. Fifty years ago such action was con- { sidered reprehensible, and Govcrn- ■ ments left their defence to the party

newspapers, or made it for themselves in public speeches. Until the days of Delane editors and Ministers were strangers to each other. This is an of advertising, and such an attitude would now be thought impossible. Yet it is conceivable that an. independent stand in such matters might be more effective in the long run than the voice of the sparrow on the housetop.

The Hymn of Hate.

The Yellow Press of Britain is objectionable, but as compared with that Of America it seems quite respectable. What is the real influence of such a Press? It seems hard to decide. Mr J Hearst, with a string of papers all over America, finds his party defeated at elections. Lord Northcliffe made a great bid for Tariff Reform in pre-war days but the country would not listen tn him. When Ministers are strong thev can commonly defy press attacks. The real danger of,a Yellow Press lies in foreign affairs, where the people have no knowledge with whi&h to correct the statements they read. In this domain it has done evil in the past, and » will probably do more in the future. There is always a certain amount of latent suspicion and ill-will towards people who speak a different language and believe in a different religion. It , / iis always easy to write of their deep upon us, and as they, too, will Vhavc a Yellow Press, such writing can '?/.be reinforced by quotations. A certain \3jnount of such writings will create enough ill-will in the two countries to make war possible. If it takes place the Yellow journalist plumes himself upon his prophetic foresight. Well, it Is no longer possible to sell eighteen carat gold watches, jewelled and repeating, for seven and six, and there is no market for gold spectacles, so perhaps some day the trade of the Yellow journalist will be a thing of the bahL-