On supporting science journalism
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One of the daily papers of this city, while descanting recently on the Newspaper Press, placed its influence far above that of the pulpit, and its usefulness far above that of general book literature. The influence of {he newspaper press, at the present day, is indeed very great, either for good or evil. Its influence is great for good, according to its truthfulness ; for evil, according to its disregard of truth. The promulgation of truth in discreet and prudent language never can do evil, but good, and the influence for good of a newspaper which makes truth its aim and object, is in proportion to its circulation. On the other hand, the influence for evil of a newspaper which does not respect truth, is evil only and that continually. Editors should therefore be exceedingly careful of what they say in order that they may not mislead and deceive, and thereby avoid doing injury to the community. Truth should be their idol, their first and last consideration always, for unless truth is the leading characteristic of the newspaper press, it cannot be morally useful and beneficial, but pernicious and hurtful. Yet when we read the various papers belonging to our own, or any other country, and witness the various views expressed on almost every subject of general importance, also the contradictory statements in them respecting many events in which the papers themselves have peculiar interests—party or personal—we cannot but conclude that truth is not yet the idol of the newspaper press, and that there is still great room for improvement. No editor is perfect, and no paper can be utterly free from error and mistakes ; but where truth is the rule of conduct, although every essential error must do evil, the evil done will be greatly mollified by astern anxiety always to be right. -_ .'Xk" propagation of wrongrfltat"*'"g'"te-juiil. roneWRrnn&irs"~TiiK[Sr fhe initueMcTixna through the instrumentality of the press, cannot be otherwise than prolific with evil. The most absurd and dangerous views upon any subject will find believers; no limit can be assigned to the credulity oi man, nor the evil to be apprehended from the propagation of falsehood and error. " Error of opinion may indeed be safely tolerated while reason is left free to combat against it," because any other course of conduct towards errorists, would be injurious to society, still neither errors of opinion, nor erroneous statements are safe in themselves, they are dangerous and should be guarded against with the most sleepless vigilance, especially by the newspaper press. The poet Editor, W. C. Bryant, than whom there is no better judge, asserted that the literature of the Daily Press was, in many respects, superficial, and pie reason of this is obvious. Readers of daily papers expect editors to present their views on the subjects of the day— passing events of the moment—hence there is often much inconsiderate haste displayed, on the very questions which require the most research and caution, viz., those of Jeep and exciting general importance. Much evil is done by taking up a position—sides—hastily upon any new question, and in expressing opinions favorable or unfavorable, which future developements may prove to be wrong. There is a natural vanity in man which tempts him, after he has committed himself to wrong views, ignorantly though it may be, to confess an error, even alter he becomes perfectly convinced of the same. This is the reason why so many errors, by the influence of the press, roll on through space and time, accumulating and propagating evil. Every editor should therefore be exceedingly cautious ot what he says, for the evil that men do, especially through the influence of the press, is not confined to our own day and generation. These remarks have been elicited by those in the paper* referred to ; also, in consequence of seeing in another of our daily papers, a few days ago, statements respecting a certain inventor known to us, which were the veryop-posite of truth, and of this the author of the statements could not have been ignorant. The V press is indeed a mighty engine for good or evil; but it has not yet, we believe, reached its climax of influence, dignity, and usefulness ; and will not, until truth in journalism becomes its guide and its glory.
