Press Distortion Seen as Menace To Civilisation

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 55, 27 November 1937, Page 18

Press Distortion Seen as Menace To Civilisation

CAMBRIDGE. — -It is up to the public to control the ' 'Jree ' ' press, said Sir Walter Layton, well known Liberal economist, speaking here recently ou ''The Press and Democracy." "Sensationalism, ' ' Sir Walter said, "pays better so long as tho publie will pay for sensationalism. ' ' "Some time ago," he declared, "there was a protest against .what was described as intrusion into private adair s. Some responsible section of the profession were grateful for, and welcomed, the expression of public feellng which toolc'place on this subject. Thero is no simple' remedy' in 'matters of this kind. The cure Tests to a large extent in the hands of the public." Referring to the dangers of a controlled or monopolized press, Sir Walter added that such a press can within limits manuf acture opinion and guide it in whatever direction the controller sees fit. # "I saw 'within limits,' " he contiuued, "because recent experience in Germany and Italy shows the Government to be xesponsive to opinion, whieh, though not expressed in the press, or in any other formal wa y, is critical or hostile to the Government 's policy. "The unpopularity in Germany of the Spanish adventure, for exataple,"' Sir Walter declared,, "is a case in point. But the direct effect of the opinion is of less serious signiiicance tha.n the power of a controlled press to distort news. It is not an exaggeration to say that the future of civilization m&y be imperiled by such distortions."