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I ·.. i.` ..· ·.- l~;~.-t·~`S - :'· · Page Twe Tne Tech THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1956a w , -w4i VIE WPOINTS: 1 4 --1956 1956 - Role Off The Newspaper - -- - Journalism in a free society has a twofold func- and its carrying out remove a great deal of the tion-the reporting of news, and the presentation value of a free press. _ a of informed editorial opinion. The newspaper is in a unique position; if it follows standards of The Editorial Function honesty and integrity, and is given a free rein, The role of the journalist as editor it can, acting as an independent whole, perform is now more usually granted without these invaluable functions better than any other question. The necessity and value of the editorial with respect entity, or any other group. to government action in a democratic society arise OFFICE Or THE PRESIDENT7 The role of the journalist as reporter is again when the members of that society are twofold. He must be keen, active~and diligent in not fully informed on each vital issue December 14, 1956 the pursuit of information; and able as a judge and/or do not make their voices known on each issue-the problem of what is most pertinent, most important and being basically one of communication. most valuable to his audience. The journalistic Similarly the value and necessity of the university news- The Editors and Staff unit as a whole performs a similar two fungtiohs paper to the administration and faculty (its value THE TECH but on a larger scale. As an independent, the to the students through a representative govern- newspaper is in the best possible position to ment Gentlemen: judge the most pertinent, valuable and important is the same as that in a larger society) arise through news for it alone is both informed and objective. communications. Congratulations to you and to your predeces- As an informed member of the sors on the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Playing no part in the events which are the actual student body, the university journalist founding of THE TECH. I have followed the prog- creation of news, the newspaper alone among as educator is able to ress of THE TECH with great interest since I was a give an informed those concerned with its propagation is disinter- and independent opinion which part of it as an undergraduate, and share with you has value to the administration and faculty a sense of pride in the accomplishments of our ested. From its vantage point, it is alone able to be- cause newspaper. make unbiased judgments of what is to be it provides a fresh and different viewpoint far more effective than any printed, where it is to be printed and how much other student voice A student newspaper at the Institute is a r3 in reaching the symnibol of our nation's great free press. The is to be printed. decision makers; it has value to the student body because it provides the informed student paper must maintain the high standards of The position of judgment is as necessary a responsibility, accuracy, and thoroughness of the and independent opinion of a peer; it has value best newspapers freedom as that of the presentation of the country. Because the of editorial to a student government because it provides the student newspaper has a monopoly In its own com- opinion. It cannot, however, be license. The informed criticism vhich would in an ideal so- munity, however, its obligations and opportunities newspaper is in this freedom subject to regula- are of even wider import. It must constantly assess ciety be available from any member but in the its responsibilities to the students whose tion, not as a check on its prerogative but as an 1.1 complex and imperfect society is available alone interests it serves and to the institution it so assurance to the community which it serves that from a few informed members, none of which often represents. It must maintain its objec- it acts in good faith, with honesty and integrity. tivity within a framework af Impressive responsi- can reach a government as quickly and efficiently bilities and opportunities. The laws covering libel are such regulation; but as the editorial. legislation is not sufficient or possible to insure I am confident that THE TECH will, in the as honesty and integrity and competence with re- Editorial Responsibility years ahead it has in the past, discharge its spect to judgment. In operating in a free obligations and capitalize on its opportunities. society, Congratulations on your effortb thus far and good the newspaper makes a tacit agreement with the The responsibilities of the editorial form a luck and clear sailing in the future, society that it will attempt to follow these prin- tacit agreement with the community. The editor ciples. Since judgment of the newspaper's ad- agrees to present arguments which either pro- Yours sincerely, herence to this code is usually pure opinion, and mote a new or unjustifiedly unsupported idea, of necessity is so; and since those who make this policy or action; or which criticize a new or un- R. Xillian J judgment are never wholly disinterested, action justifiedly accepted ifd idea, policy or action of in- President should almost never be suggested-let alone terest to either students, faculty or administration. effected by government. Should the editorial do otherwise, it adds nothing and forfeits its value and its right to existence. 2he College Newspaper The editorial must not knowingly misstate fact; - s --- it must be, by definition, an argument based on 'Application of this principle to a free nation r an opinion-it will often seem unfair; it will i is near unnecessary, since the principles of a free not be if it is done in good faith with end result 1881- Hopes And Predictions For The Future society and the belief in freedom of speech re- advocated a benefit to the community, whether V fuse to make judgments which are pure opinion the thesis of the editorial is constructive or de- Students and Friends: The Institute has never been rich in and leave decision to the people, who can de- structive. papers. Only one, we believe has ever termine the survival of the paper in question The editor will never be free from some un- GREETINGS been published. Some years ago, the through their patronization. In the college com- popularity nor can he be if his ideas are different Today is issued the first number of our SPECTRUM shone for a time, but soon munity, however, the principle is a vital one. -as they should and must be. The editor must paper; and, although we tremble faded away. Still later, an attempt was The often monopolistic at the position of the college have the courage of his convictions and the faith made to establish another paper, but in newspaper prevents, even makes thought of the work before us, we begin undesirable the to face the apparent blindness of his readers to: vain; the first number never appeared. regulatory action of supply and demand. Perhaps his arguments. His ideas may not be accepted, it gladly. We believe that the same public more important, the proximity and interrelation- but his arguments will be of value as long as spirit that founded THE TECH will sus- And now comes THE TECH, asking its ship of the student staffed newspaper, the faculty they are creative. tain it to the end. share of favor. Even as its predecessor, and administration of the university, and often it attempts great things. It will be its aim the student government as well suggest that the - - - -" - I -- to promote the interests of the students paper yield some of its autonomy. Even the threat of the Institute, and maintain a friendly of action can hamper the existence of the news- spirit among them, breaking down the paper as a free and valuable part of the com- . gThe TFech ancient barriers of class and department. munity. Here the threat is often ever present. It will exercise a guardian care over the Should the administration, the faculty of a stu- 1881 1956 members of the school, protecting the dent government hold some power over the news- Freshman, curbing the Sophomore, cor- paper; that power, whether its origin be financial Board of Directors Managing Board recting the Junior, and supporting the or otherwise, must be dclearly limited else the H. W. Leonard '83 ............................. President John A. Friedman H. F. Ross '57................................ Editor Senior in his old age. It will open an temptation of a different judgment could '82 ..................................Secretary Robert G. 13Bridgham bring I. W. Litehfield '85 ............................ Treasurer '57 ...... Business Manager avenue for the expression of public opin- about a highly undesirable action-no matter W. B. Snow '82 H. B. Gale '84 Junior Board -- A. S. Pratt '84 ion, and will aim, in every possible way, how well intended.