I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected
with it are, to the full measure of responsibility, trustees for the
public; that all acceptance of lesser service than the public service is
a betrayal of this trust.
I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.
I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.
I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.
I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say
as a gentleman; that bribery by one's own pocket book is as much to be
avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual
responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another's instructions or
another's dividends.
I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike
serve the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful
truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that supreme test of good
journalism is the measure of its public service.
I believe that the journalism which succeeds the best-and best deserves
success-fears God and honors man; is stoutly independent; unmoved by
pride of opinion or greed of power; constructive, tolerant but never
careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but
always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the
appeal of the privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every
man a chance, and as far as law, an honest wage and recognition of human
brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic
while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing
world-comradeship, is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's
world.