THE PRESS IMPUGNED.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1922, Page 4

THE PRESS IMPUGNED.

At Waitara, the other evening, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., broke a lance with the Press, stating that it had ignored the Liberal Party and contending that if a man had been doing good work he was entitled to have it known. We cannot supportMr. Jennings' statement. With one or two notable exceptions, the Press of the Dominion accords impartial treatment to candidates, irrespective of party. That some candidates receive less publicity than others may be due either to their not supplying the matter for publication, or that their views or statements are devoid of news value. In regard to the first matter, it should be explained that the practise of most of the leading city and provincial papers is to fully report a candidate’s opening speech and to print a precis of his other meetings if supplied. Should longer reports be desired, then an arrangement has to be made with the commercial department of the paper. If such a condition were not imposed, the news-

papers would be flooded with political speeches and party propaganda to the disparagement of news of real value. The New Zealand Press on the whole has a full recognition of its responsibilities, and discharges them fairly and conscientiously, and we are surprised that an erstwhile newspaper man like Mr. Jennings should bring forward a charge like he did- at Waitara. Having done so, he should endeavor to substantiate, and jutisfy the charge. We feel certain he would fail in such an undertaking.