PLAYING DOWN THE CRIMINAL AND FEATURING THE POLICEMAN
CRIME news that plays up the police and plays down the criminals is something a bit different from what most newspaper readers have become accustomed to. Many newspapermen, however, in spite of their taste for “human interest,” will say Amen to much of the instructions given lately to the reporters for a Los Angeles newspaper:
“We do not want in our columns any glorification of crime or criminals.
“Criminals must be regarded for what they are and not lionized, martyrized, heroized or treated with any sentiment whatsoever. As a class they are stupid, dope-ridden rats; enemies of society; and must be depicted as such.
“Under no circumstances employ such phrases as ‘Bandit Queen,’ ‘Master Criminals,’ ‘Robin Hood,’ or any such nonsense; do not make use of titles like ‘Two-gun Mulligan,’ etc., etc. The use of these titles tends to inflame the imagination of young morons who may forthwith embark on careers of crime.
“It is particularly emphasized that we do not want to portray crime achievements as, ‘Clever,’ ‘Successful,’ ‘Unusual.’ This encourages the criminals and encourages imitators and makes the work of the police that much more difficult.
“We do not want any sob-stuff, no flowers or kisses for jailbirds.
“In all cases where possible, dwell upon the cleverness or heroism of the officers.
“It is the side of the law and order that we must exploit and not the side of the underworld.
“Wherever opportunity presents. dilate on the severity of court punishments being justified.
“In every case be sure to use the names of police officers who have made the arrests or have done any meritorious thing in connection with their duties.
“To sum up—we want to play up the police and play down the criminals.
“The policy must also be carried out in headlines and in cut captions as well as in leads and stories.”
LOCAL BANKER SOMETIMES PROBLEM FOR LOCAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER
By G. B. NUNN, Editor Wheeler Reporter
WE BELIEVE that one of the toughest problems for the newspaper man is the banker. As a class, bankers endeavor to shun publicity, yet crave it. Strange as this may seem this has been our experience, and a number of other editors tell us theirs has been similar. As a class bankers want only that published which they can censor. The matter is generally dry, uninteresting and of no value to a newspaper. As an excuse for not giving live matter they say to do so would injure their business and might cause a run on the bank. This might or might not be true, but we are firmly convinced that no editor would let any item be published that would be detrimental to any bank.
When a crisis is at hand the banker rushes to the newspaper office and grabs the powers that be and cautious in whispers to be careful what is published. No[2]
