Umatilla county is concerned. Our only advice to the warring factions has been that they keep their shirts on, bearing in mind the fact that the other fellow is usually better than you think he is.
GOOD NATURE IMPOSED ON
On the state of free publicity for entertainments, etc., the writer will not commend the East Oregonian as a model for anyone to follow. The paper has been an easy mark. Once we sought to have the School of Journalism tell us what to do, but their suggested rules were rather general in terms and almost too scholarly for practical use. We do not use civil service notices, and when Uncle Sam wishes a new janitor for the federal building or some new stenographers we decline to make a news item out of something that should be carried as a want ad. We have been over-generous toward local entertainments and quite frequently find our good nature imposed upon. We often devote much good space to exploiting affairs for the high school, the women’s club or other organizations
newpapers do not present the news in a
fair and impartial manner.
a good newspaper is its ability to print
news even though the facts be very dis
tressing from the standpoint of that
newspaper’s own views.
There is a widapread impression that
the danger of lop-sided news
and find they place their job work with a cheaper shop. Theoretically we insist
reports
The press associations come in the same
category, for they are also under suspicion. At times their reports bear the earmarks of propaganda all too plainly.
RULES FOR NEWS FAIRNESS
On the East Oregonian we have given considerable thought to the subject of news fairness. We have endeavored to guide writers by a set of rules governing
the news office. The following extract from those rules will show their tenor:
There is,
however, a justification for their com plaint, and if the press wishes to retain public confidence it must guard againsst
“The newspaper business is a high calling.
It offers great opportunities
for service and involves responsibilities. If you do not find the work congenial, if you are not enthused by
that tho<c sccl<ing_' publicity for paid af fairs must make their peace with the business office. This is not sufficient, however. and we need reformation. We have recognized the fact since 1877.
its possibilities or do not wish to ob
PAPER PUBLICITY ORGAN
requirements of a good news reporter.
Tn conclusion I will broaden my sub ject smncivliat with a general word upon the subject of propaganda. The exist ence of so man-v publicity bureaus and
Get both sides of a story, be just in handling the facts. Don’t do anything as a ne'spaper worker that you would not do as a man or a woman. “Remember that all the people here ahouts are our friends and neighbors.
publicity a;_-cuts inclines to the view taken by many people that the American news paper is no longer a real newsgiver but
serve the ethical requirements of good journalism, you should go into some
other line of work. “Accuracy and faimess are the main
We wish
an organ for the dissemination of propa
them.
ganda in favor of one cause or another. The public has a right to expect that news reports be accurate and fair, that when
generous
a subject is in controversy both sides be presented. To suppress news that ap pears as unfavorable to the expressed
policies of a paper and to unduly empha sim stories that bear out its policies is not good journalism. One of the tests of
to help
people, not hurt
We desire to be as kind and as
possible,
yet
we
must
publish news fearlessly and impartially when the public interest demands and we must not be deterred by friend ship. Be extremely careful where a story reflects upon a man’s good name and doubly so and then some when the good name of a woman is involved.
[13]
Write nothing in malice or for revenge.
