MAKING ITS WEIGHT FELT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 March 1927, Page 13 (Supplement)

MAKING ITS WEIGHT FELT

English language, with some virile variations as in North America, predominates in journalism. Thus, from an Anglo-Saxon point of view, the power of the Press is a great influence for thfe peace and progress of the world.

There are rather more than 60,000 daily and weekly newspapers in the world. Twentythree thousand are published in the United States; 13,000 in the British Empire; and the remainder in many different countries and in diverse languages. London leads the world’s cities with 440 newspapers, including 25 morning and seven evening dailies. The English and "Welsh provinces have 1394 newspapers; Scotland 236; and Ireland 177. New Zealand's contribution to the mass is over 300.

It has been wisely said that a good definition of a newspaper is impossible. It is something more than a daily or weekly record of public events. By reason of a newspaper’s comprehensive activities and varied features, it serves at onfce as a news sheet, a pamphlet, a review, and an illustrated journal; yet that is only one-half of its function. In business and commerce its skilful system of advertising fosters trade and industry, links communities and nations together throughout the world, and affords attractive publicity to all kinds of enterprise.

How, where, and to what purpose is the influence of the modern newspaper most effectively exercised? Most people would answer at once that such influence is most effective in times of national crisis. Normally, they are given too much to trivialities and tittle-tattle. An English writer has fairly commented that the power of the Press reached its zenith during the World War. “As the power of Parliaments waned the influence of the Press on public opinion became practically supreme. Measures necessary to success in the war were carried out by the pressure of public opinion as controlled by the Press. The crucial issues of conscription, the control of food prices and rationing and the great question of unified command, were all matters in which the Press went ahead of public opinion, and educated it to a point where action could be taken.”

It is peculiarly within the province of news-

papers to solve or at least materially to assist in solving many of the problems that fret every community to-day. Unfortunately, the will to do it as a high form of national service is hampered by selfish interests and political colour. Real independent newspapers are almost as rare as white blackbirds. The commodity which a newspaper has to dispose of, by which indeed it lives, is the most valuable commodity in the world —publicity. A newspaper has the power to make or break statesmen and administrators. It may, in the exercise of its influence, raise unworthy place seekers and public servants to the highest pinnacle of success, or it may bring down and keep iu obscurity more worthy men —all by the use or abuse of publicity. Happily, throughout the vast range of British Empire journalism the ethics of newspapers are based on fairness, instinctive tolerance and inherent goodwill.

Of course the influence of the Press in world affairs is not confined to the popular daily and weekly newspapers. In addition to these, there are in every country, but most of all in the Old World, many journals devoted entirely to political, technical and scientific interests. It is admitted, for example, that both Frame and Italy excel the British Empire, the United States, and the rest of Europe In the merit of purely literary reviews and journals of art and music criticism. Germany leads easily with its scientific journals, while France is a good second. But because of the enormous predominance of the English language, the AngloSaxon world has weekly, monthly and quarterly organs of impressive influence and of great international importance. America, for its technical Press, holds a superior position, though Great Britain has one or two journals that enjoy notable eminence. It is said that America and Great Britain are now about

equal as regards giant weeklies. These are the % considered opinions of a leading British newspaper historian, who also insists that it should not be forgotten that, in illustrated journalism. Phil May, the greatest black-and-white artist of the past century, practised his art and acquired his fame in Australia. It was there, too, that the brilliant New Zealander, David Low, of Christchurch, found the way to great distinction.