Impartiality of the Press

Quoted from "America Faces the Future"

"One way to attain this democratic ideal would be to require that a certain number of columns should be at the disposal of each of the national parties, and perhaps of other important groups such as employee associations, the trade unions, an association of college graduates etc."

"These columns must be uncensored by the newspaper owner or editor.  In this way facts and opinions that seem important to any respectable group could be got fairly before the public and every newspaper would become...a real open forum for discussion..."

"Every reform however must recognize that the Press is an institution of public service.  Its potentialities for the education of the people are almost limitless.  It could be used to create an intelligent democracy by voicing the various existing opinions upon every problem and noting accurately all relevant facts."

"If this ideal can be attained under the individualistic system of private ownership, well and good.  But if the owners of the Press and of the great newsgathering agencies persist in using their power irresponsibly for the furthering of their own particular views and interests the public will find a way to limit or end that power."

"A "free press" must be taken to mean not a press that anyone who can afford to can buy and run as he chooses but a press free from dictation at the hands of any interest, free to serve the people as a whole."

"Nothing short of that will realize our ideal of Democracy in Journalism!"

"The ideal of democracy demands that every adult being should have a voice in every decision that directly affects his welfare."

A Day at the Beach

My son came running into the house the other day ecstatic beyond words. He had just been invited to a party and it involved swimming, After rummaging through his backpack he pulled out the invitation with large letters announcing "Beach party".

There would be a sandcastle contest, hot dog BBQ, cake, and all the swimming you could stand, best of all, families were invited! Of course my first thought was that his dad could take him, he always takes the swim detail, but of course this very important date was when he would be away on his one business trip of the summer. My second thought was to make up some excuse as to why there was something vastly more exciting to do on the day of his best friends birthday party. No there wasn't any way around it, I would need to take him.

Itook my bathing suit out of its hiding spot. It had been so long since I've worn it I had conveniently forgotten where I had left it. I hung it on the wall and stared at it for a while. It didn't look so bad, not too gaudy or low cut. It covered all the right places. But then again it wasn't on my body yet.

My happy son went scampering up to the party as I strolled along sharing greetings with the Moms and Dads of his friends along the way, all packed up for some fun in the sun. As I reluctantly followed my son down to the water, looking none too happy I am sure, the mom of the birthday boy approached, She grinned at me and explained that her son had begged for this party over her many objections. He said to her, 'Mom a day at the beach is a day in a bathing suit. What could be more fun?" How could she argue with that?