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GENERAL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1938 -PAGE
LIFE
NEWSPAPERMAN'S
NOT A BED OF ROSES
Vigorous Denouncement Of "Mosquito Press"
MR. WALTER HANMING CHEN
ADDRESSES ROTARY CLUB
Way
Vigorously denouncing the "mosquito press", as undesirable and a slur on the good name of the Journalistle profession. Mr. Walter Hanming Chen. editor of the "Far Eastern Economic and Commer- ctal Journal, who was for many years associated with the "North China Daily News" in Shanghai, branded some of the editors of those scandal sheets as blackmailers in disguise. The speaker, who addressing the Hongkong Rotary Club at the Hongkong Hotel, also deplored alarmist or scare posters and headlines and expressed the view that they were exceptionally dangerous and a menace to society. Mr. Chen spoke on the growth of the Chinese newspaper and brought out the interesting fact that one paper in China was pub- lished in the 17th century, probably before the birth of any journal In Europe or America.
The meeting was presided over by the Club's chairman, Dr. Li Shu-fan, and was well attended.
"Mr. Chen said :—
few are chosen. The mere ability to Among the first instructions' write and the acquisition of style given me by my chief when I arst does not mean that the fight is decided to take up journalism as a won. Style without Ideas is as career was To be a successful useless 25 a tool without the Journalist, you must have a leather; material to carve. face." To show that I have not
PAY VERY LOW » forgotten those words, I have again
Frankly, I cannot understand resorted to my leather face by why sane man should accept jour- coming here to address you to-day nalism as a profession The work Most people are under the im-is not easy and the pay is as low pression that newspaper work is as could be. My advice is, there- easy and that anybody and every-fore, that, unless one wants to take body can be a newspaper writer.up newspaper work simply because Many believe that it is quite sim-he loyes it, nobody should become ple, should they lose their jobs, to a journalist.
step into a newspaper office and Many would-be journalists are get another for the asking. I am dazzled by the inherent glamour reminded of a young man who of newspaper work that they fail went into a newspaper office and to realize that conditions are, as I said. "Mr. Editor. I've decided to have related, at times maddening. come here to work. You've the The strain on the eyes and nerves nerve all right but have you had is especially heavy. You probably any experience? Can you write?" have noticed that the percentage replied the editor. "I can write or Journalists who wear glasses is hit." "Not good enough. Sorry
abnormally high. Conditions in but I've decided that you can't daily Journalism are conducive to
work here."
excessive smoking, which, allied to It is entirely erroneous to think the inevitable irregularity of meals that newspaper work is easy. The and rest, is a potential danger to mere fact that one can write a health, as our worthy chairman, business letter, prepare a report or Dr. Li Shu-fan, will agree. draw up an advertisement is no There is still too much dríanking Indication that he is fitted for the in the profession and, though the journalistic profession. "
QUALIFICATIONS
excesses of the Bohemian days [have done, some of the good fel- 'Muy I mention a few essential lowship has gone with them. *# qualifications for a good journal- As in commercial life. where ist:A good education, & fuent competition is keen, competition is pen and the ability to write in an equally as keen in the newspaper appealing style; a nose for news world and each paper relishes the and a leather face; a power of ob- fact that it has scooped the op- servation, a sense of anticipation position. In Shanghal, some of and a quick realization of news the papers made it a practice of values, coupled with imagination giving their reporters a special (though, of course, imagination bonus whenever they scooped the should not play too big a part); opposition but I am afraid that enthusiasm," "push", or forceful- that is not done here in Hongkong. ness, energy and zeal; intelligence, As may readily be realized. quick wit and mental cagerness; though the newspaper game is not a desire for adventure and risk; one in which many are able to be- personality and a good disposition, come millionaires, there are many but not a bad temper or a disposi- temptations and pitfalls. Both the tion towards rudeness; and, above editors and reporters alike are all, good health, for the strain of likely to fall if they are not care- journalism sometimes unbear-ful. Many a person will come up able, even maddening, 'as the hours to an editor or å reporter and offer are long and the work at times him something if he will put this tedious and dry..
In the paper or leave that out.
A
In addition to these qualifica- good journalist will take no notice tions, it is as well for one to pos- of such offers. Some advertisers segs_2_knowledge of typewriting even have the temerity to tell the and Shorthand, though shorthand press what they must do and what is not absolutely necessary.
they must not under the threat
I have mentioned that, apart that. If the press does not do as from the ability to write, a good it is told, they will lose valuable journalist must have a nose for advertising space. news. Without this, he is of lit-
HIS OWN JOB
tle use in 1 newspaper office, Time will not permit me to out- True, one can be trained and there line the duties of the journalist. are even schools which turn out Each and every man has his own good journalists, but frankly, the job and he is expected to do it best journalist is the born journal-properly. The editor must write ist and the one who has graduat his leading articles. the assistant ed from the University of Hard editor must act as his chief of Knocks.
staff and be ready to take com- MAN IN THE STREET
mand at a moment's notice. And What many who aspire for news-so on with the news editor, the paper positions do not realize is cables editor, the re-white editor, that they are not writing business the head-line editor, the sports letters or writing reports and arti-editor the commercial editor, the cles for a new technical magazines.women's editor, the reporter and They resort to the very bad babit the proof-reader. of using lengthy words and super- I mention nothing about the fluous phrases. They forget they managerial, or the advertising and are writing for the man. in the circulation, side of the paper, since street, for the busy man who must my dealings with the business de- | read his paper quickly, even before partment. which has nothing he has his coffee and toast, and whatever to do with the editorial who does not relish the idea of department, have been nil, except leaving bed half an hour earlier when I used to ask the cashier tó even to read a newspaper. They change my cheque. forget that, though they them- · CLOSE TO HEAD TABLE " selves may be living dictionaries
There was a time when journal- and living encyclopaedia. the man ists
were treated with scant in the street is not. They fail en courtesy, even with open contempt. tirely to put themselves in the by the public. Once they were fed position of their readers.
ahabbily in ante-rooms, brah Others are inclined to be long-nowadays they are generally close winded. to use five pr six para-to the head table. Indeed, some of graphs where the story could be the highest in the land will feed bolled down to a couple of para them with their own fair finger 1 graphs. They forget that space in thereby they can assure some free every newspaper is money and publicity. 'that brevity is the soul of wit.
Buch conditions imply a certain There is no dearth of writers but strength of character in the four- there is a distinct dearth of people nalist. There are temptations to who understand the complicated slack, temptations to dishonesty, to process of new gathering and, accept small presents monetary news presentation. Writing is like.
a religion: many feel the call, but
(Continued on Page 4):
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