Page:The Practice of the Kansas Code of Ethics for Newspapers.pdf/8

186 the preparation of a newspaper, the sort of reaction that makes the paper an expression of all you would have it be.

The human element in a newspaper frequently prevents the living-up to the Code, even though the publisher so wishes.

There are members of the family of reputable newspapers which do not meet all of the requirements of the Code regarding so-called indecency. In the publication of uncertain crime material it is doubtful whether much progress has been made since the Kansas Code was written. In the opinion of the writer the rather upset conditions following the War have probably lowered standards of news- papers. Two specific suggestions of the Kansas Code are interesting: One is that the picture of a suspect should not be published except to aid in apprehension; the other, that doubtful crime material be kept off "page one position" when published.

Fob the Editor views

Definition. Views are the impres- sions, beliefs, or opinions which are published in a paper, whether from the editorial staffs of the same, outside contributors, or secured interviews.

A Distinction. We hold that-when- ever a publication confines the bulk of its views to any particular line of thought, class of views, or side of a mooted question, it becomes to that extent a class publication, and inas- much ceases to be a newspaper.

An Explanation. You will note by our definition of news that it is the impartial portrayal of the decent activities of mind, men and matter. This definition applied to class pub- lications would be changed by replac- ing the word Impartial with the word Partial.

In this section we will deal with Impartiality in the presentation of the

decent activities of the mind of the com- munity — with the views or editorial policy of a paper.

Responsibility: Whereas a view or conclusion is the product of some mind, or minds, and whereas the value and significance of a view is dependent upon the known merit of its author or authors, the reader is entitled, and has the right to know the personal identity of the author, whether by the signature in a communication, the statement of the reporter in an inter- view, or the caption in a special article and the paper as such should in no wise become an advocate.

Influence (editorial). We should avoid permitting large institutions or persons to own stock in, or make loans to our publishing houses if we have reasonable grounds to believe that their interests would be seriously affected by any other than a true presentation of all news and a free willingness to present every possible point of view under signature or in- terview.

Influence (reportorial). No re- porter should be retained who accepts any courtesies, unusual favors, op- portunities for self-gain, or side employment from any factors whose interests would be affected by the manner in which his reports are made.

Deception. We should not allow the Presumed knowledge on the part of the interviewed that we are news- paper men to permit us to quote them without their explicit permission, but where such knowledge is certain we insist upon our right to print the views unless directly forbidden.

Faith with Interviewed. An in- terview or statement should not be displayed previous to its publication without the permission of the author.

Bounds of Publicity. A man's name and portrait are his private property and the point where they cease to be private and become public should be defined for our association.

The Kansas Code takes up a vital problem for every editor. As a general