NEWSPAPER LYING

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 146, 2 September 1876, Page 2

NEWSPAPER LYING

Some people have' an idea that newspapers will lie. Others are so wise that they will only believe a newspaper report when they think it would be easier for the paper to toll the truth than to tell a lie. Others think it an evidence of flashing wit to reject with a derisive laugh any evidence for authority which comes from “ the papers.” To such an extent has this thoughtless judgment of the press been carried that'much of its sphere of usefulness has been circumscribed. It is true there must be some occasion for this wide-spread impression—- “ there must be some fire where there is so much smoke;” yet how many men can show a record for correctness, accuracy and truthfulness, that will ai once compare with the average newspaper ? The * editor gathers his news from a thousand sources, from acquaintances and strangers, from letters and papers. He sifts and culls, hunts and details, and endeavors to get “ the straight,” of every story lie publishes, for it goes to the world over his own name, and he knows that in a great measure he will be held responsible. The private individual hears a piece of gossip, listens carelessly, tells it to another with equal carelessness, and if called upon, for details, in nine cases out of ten cannot give enough of them to make an intelligent item for a paper. 11 Writing makes an exact man,” says Lord Bacon ; the newspaper verifies the truth of the statement. ■ Let any one who doubts this sit down and put on paper some pieces of gossip, with the purpose of having it printed over his own name, and he will see in a moment how little he knows about a matter he thought himself familiar with. And ho will wonder, not that the newspaper should contain occasional inaccuracies and mis-statements, but that it contains so few. And his wonder will wonderfully increase when ho remembers that the editor has to depend for much of what lie publishes on the common run of mankind.