Newsprint Restrictions A Form Of Censorship

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1948, Page 5

Newsprint Restrictions A Form Of Censorship

Received'Thursdav, 7 p.m. . . LONDON, May 6. ' The allocation of about 22,000-, 000 dollars for newsprint in tlie suggested first year's Marshall aid for the United Kingdorn, gives a chance, of irnproying the British newsprint situation,. says The Times in an editorial. Yet the Government apparently is looking a 'gift horse distastefullv in the mouth and 'is considering — at iea.st until recently whether to impose still more .impprt restrictions. Newsprint, says -ihe Times, cannot be treated this side Of the iron curtain as just anotlier material conimodity, Tlie cutting of supplies, even from economic motives, is an effective form of censorship. The Government has still to show it is siucere in the support given at Geneva to freedom of information. Mr. H. M. Hovwood, of • Kemslev Newspapers Limited, r.eferring to the newsprint restrictions 111 his presidential.address to the Newspaper Society ■ meeting in London, said it was a contradiction in terms for the Governmentto protest faith in a well-intormed democratic electorate and at the same time refuse the nation, ajequate means,s; through the •newspapers, of following^ the often f'antasti6; .changes in UicL nation 's: everyday life. The anxiety ot the Royal Oomuiissiou tpn the Press;, " about tlie adequate reporting of locaL 3 affairs had lieen yno.tice.able. (Tlie society represents all . prov-.i,ncial daily and weekly ne'wspapOr's.j