1937-03-18 — Page 7

Influence Of The Press

On Public Opinion

(Continued from Page 1.)

• Now we rush down the corridors | namely, "The Press And of time, past all those interesting places where we see people paying small coins to handle for a stipu- lated time a publication known in Italy as the "Gazetta" and by other

names in other countries where the smallest coin was not known as a "gazetta," until we ar- rive at that great if not entirely glorious period in British progress when the "news letter" came into. being by means of Pot Houses, One should pause here of purpose and repeat the pregnant words-Pot Houses-because as Pót Houses were the fore-runners of "Pubs." so wore "news' letters" the fore- zupners of Leading Articles, Spe- cial Articles and originally genuine "straight" news articles coloured by the comments which should be proper only to Leading Articles and Special Articles.

FAMOUS JOURNALISTS

It was Addison who combined with Steele to make the "news let- ter" the popular, and consequently powerful, feature which the Press eventually became. These two worthles Ilved in stirring times, and by that I mean times when people were trying to think for them, There was a great thirst for news, and it was local news they wanted to the exclusion prac- tically of all other. Addison and Steele did their splendid best to quench that thirst, and their "news letters"

were similar in many

striking respects to the exclusive" Information which the great met- ropolitan newspapers of the world publish to-day with the magic

title of confession, "From our Spe- clal Correspondent."

From what one can gather by a diligent perusal of, the doings of those times, most of the "exclu- sive" information came from the then Pot Houses and Clubs-and in that order.

The point I wish to make is that whilst those "news letters" con- tained some facts. yet those, facts were given a dennite meaning by the comment which the gifted writers interspersed between the otherwise bald statements of fact. In a word, they, the writers, sought to mould public opinion according to the colour of the political party which they favoured,

Sometimes there were "leading articles, which were then known as "essays," added to the "news letters," and the purpose of those essays was to give force to the comments which had been injected by the writers into their news let- ters."

STARTLING HEADLINĖ Then science took a hand; com- munications between

various parts of the world were quickened. People in London did not think that Paris was so very far" distant

with

they ever did (for where there's a will there's a way), and the doings of the "monster" Napoleon began to be included in much larger publications than the accustomed "news letter." As a result, what we term to-day "the broad sheet" was developed, and "the papers," as the eighteenth century called them for the first time, became resplendent stories from "special emissaries" and other mysterious and impor tant unmentionables. In tabse great days "The Times" startled not only the medical profession but the entire British pubile with the startling headline, The King of France. The Queen and all the members of the Royal Household CONFINED." And "The Times" wrote, such a leading article on the subject as to inflame still further the passions of the otherwise un- imaginative British public.

PASSIONS INFLAMED

HONG KONG DALY PRESS, THURSDAY, MARCH

DIRECTOR OF

B.B.C. TO VISIT

HONG KONG

Public To Investigate Empire |

Broadcasting Problems

Opinion," and, not merely as one who occupies Editorial rank, but as an humanitarian who firmly be lieves that a FREE PRESS is a saving grace to any community.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS I find the main dificulty in ap proaching this subject is because I realise that, as people who live under the British dag, we take most things for granted. We take the freedom of the Press for granted; but do any of us pause for one moment to contemplate the possible one-sidedness of our con- ception af world affairs if OUR

Press was as manacled as that of

Russia, Germany or Italy, to men- tion only three of the great coun- tries of the world wherein the

"freedom of the Press" is but a

The Director of the BB.C. Em pire Service, Mr. J. B. Clark, is leaving England on May 7 on an extensive tour of the Empire. He expecta to be in Hong Kong some two months later.

"

Mr. Clark intends to investigate a number of problems which mu- tually affect the BB.C. Empire Broadcasting Services oversea, and other broadcasting organisations In the Empire.

Mr. Clark will stay in Malta from May 11 until May 16,

During the Coronation week in Hong Kong, he will be able to ob- serve the reception of the pro- grammes to be broadcast by the B.B.C.

term and not a fact? Even in- cluding the United States of Ame- rica, it can fairly be said that It is to-day. ONLY

Mr. Clark will visit the following WITHIN THE BRITISH EMPIRE THAT ACTUAL | Territories: Ceylon, Australia, Fiji. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaya, India Palestine, Cyprus and Gibraltar.

Mr. Clark has had many years of experience in British Broad- casting. He joined the B.B.C. In 1934. and during his service he was

ENJOYED, and the result 1-or happens to be, as you care to re- gard the matter-that we, as Bri- fishers, have a more serene, a more liberal outlook on life in general tion. Even in the matter of fair-appointed than the people of any other na-

ness to an accused person we ob- serve that

CHORAL SOCIETY. CONCERT

Programme For This. Evening

The following programme will be presented by the Chinese Choral Society at their concert this even- ing:-

18, 1937.

WEDDINGS

Three Ceremonies Yesterday McKellar--Ferguson

the Hong Kong Union Church yes- A pretty wedding took place at

terday afternoon between Mr. A. McKellar, C. A. of Messrs. Mackin- non, Mackenzie and Company, and Mias Catherine, M. Ferguson, of "Courtlands," Kennedy Road, The Second movement from Concerto Rev. K. Mackenzie Dow officiated.

Part Song:

Rolling down to Rio-German. Violin Solos:

by Max Bruch.

Prie Lewis

Old Scottish Cradle Song:

◊ can ye sew cushions-Arr.

Bantock.

Solas:

Oh yes, just so-Bach.

I forget what I am, what I'm

doing-Mozart.

Eva Turner

The bride, who was charmingly attired.

was given away by Mr. M. T. Johnson, while the Matron of Honour was Mra N. M. Carrie and the bridesinalds, the Missca Bell and Wallace. The bride's en-

Chiffon

semble was by Madame The New SIMMONS'

The duties

of best man were

discharged by Mr. G. Milne.

After the ceremony a largely at- Part Song:

tended reception was held at the The Traction Engine-Marchant.Hong Kong Hotel after which the Dueta:

happy couple left for Repulse Bay the honeymoon is being SULLIVAN-GEORGE

(a) I would that my love where

Mendelssohn.

spent.

(b) The Snow—Elgar,

'Eva Turner and Glady Shaw

Madrigal:

The wedding of Miss Margaret Olwin George to Mr. William Sulli- Fine knacks for ladies-Dowland. van, of the Hong Kong Police; took Solos:

(a) True Love-Brahjus, (b) Blue bells from the clearings

Walker.

Gladys Shaw Welsh Folk Song:

Empire Programme Director. In, 1932, promoted to the position of Director of the Empire Service in 1935 and when he suc-Somerset Folk Song:

ceeded Mr. C. G. Graves-now Con- troller of programmes for the whole of the B.B.C. organisation.

DOCKYARD

TRAGEDY

Lee Hol a dockyard employee, fell to his death in one of the holds of the steamer Sagres early yesterday

All through the night — Arr.

Chambers.

O. No John--Arr. Thiman.

Chinese National Anthen God Save the King

DEATH OF SHANGHAI CRICKETER

serenity of outlook which no other nation does. For instance, in America before an ac- cused person stand trial, that per- son's most intimate. (and usually unworthy) characteristics can and are paraded before the pubite in microscopic détail.

In a word, the person accused can be pre-judged. I cite this Instance of the Power of the Press, or the influence of the Press on Public Opinion, sin-

News was received in the Colony ply because I wish to show one was in Cosmopolitan Dock when yesterday of the death of E.G. thing." namely that there is a the tragedy occurred. Lee Hot Barnes, a former Shanghai cricket Press in the world which, whilst was working on the dock and ap-interporter, at St. Marie's Hospital, demanding to the utmost limits its parently leaned over Freedom. observes its responsibil-hatchway to speak to someone be- the open

low. For some unascertained rea-

deck and toppled over. son he lost his foothold on the He was instantly killed.

ties.

I anticipate some of the objec tions which will be raised on this point. claimed though not, I think, main- It will for instance, be

tained, that the influence of the Press on the Public can be abused. I ask one question. Has ever this privilege (and I regard the freedom of the British, Fress as such-for what right have we as working journalists to Demand anything | such?) been abused?

Let me be speclic.

NOTABLE EXAMPLE Within recent date there was

that which, so some thought, might

disrupt the British Empire

I say, and I say with all the emphasis within my power, that no Press in the world was more free to discuss the domestic arrange- ments of a Monarch than was the Press of the Empire in regard to the Duke of Windsor and a certain American woman. What that meant within the greatest Empire known to History is now-well. It's Just history. Every phase of the situation was traversed" in news

morning. The Sagres

Shanghai, on March 13.

place yesterday at St. Andrew's

being performed by the Rev. J. R. Church, Kowloon, the ceremony

Higgs.

The bride looked charming in a dress of white spotted tulle with underdress of palest pink satin. Ker veil of emboldered tulle was held in place by orange blossoms. and she carried a bouquet of Arum Hules...

The bride was given away by her father, and three dainty ittle girls were the bridesmaids, Dagmar Aun Read, who were dressed in Rohel, Moira Patey, and Rosemary

pate plak, mauve, and blue tulle over slips or matching satin, and bouquets, of sweetpeas which went well with their flower-

ke frocks.

carried

The Matron of Honour was the bride's twin-sister, Mrs. Stephens. The deceased was 49 years of age and had retired from activemoire taffeta with accessories of a who looked remarkably nice in blue cricket three years ago. At the darker shade. The bride's mother time of his demise he was

wore a tunic dress of brown silk manager of Messrs. Harvey. Cook crepe and a brown hat to match, & Co., Shanghal.

After the wedding reception was held at the house

of the

the

He was a widower and leaves a

to mourn his death.

that very article, and we published it on the front page of our paper son, aged 17, and a daughter. 12. bride's parents, and her "going- away" costume was a, delightful ensemble of green wool crepe re- lieved with brown,

with a "streamer headline," thus lying it such publicity as our Leading Article never had.

PUBLICITY LIMELIGHT There was a Dysentery Scourge in this Colony but recently. and we gave the fullest publicity to its in-. cidence regardless of the con- eulogistic letters, but we also gain sequences: we gained many

ed much adverse commentary. When, at the height of the trouble, we assigned a reporter to ask a

certain Government official in a

responsible position what he had to report about the matter," and Hell out of this this office)," we told our representative to "Get the

Published the fact, and eventually there was a full and detailed re- port on the matter, as a direct re- sult of this publicity,

and in leading articles. Supposing INCREASING INFLUENCE Hitler or Mussolini (and this takes I could continue citing many in- imagination) had involved them-stances from my own personal ex- selves in some such trouble. Could perience where the Press has in- the Press of those much-vaunted fluenced public opinion for the nations have enjoyed a similar benefit of the public, but I must freedom? I take upon myself, from also confess that there are very a personal knowledge of the con- many instances on record which duct of the Press in both those show in a most unpleasant way countries, to answer-No.

how the mighty power of the Press Yet, such is the honourable has been abused in a manner so manner in which the British Press shameful and yet shameless that observes the decencies of its pri- It would appear at first sight that vilège, that it never lowers its there is a very good case for the prestige by saying to the man who more strict supervisor of the honours it by reading it, "Thou Press, if not for the imposition of shalt not speak.”

a mild form of censorship.

OPPOSITE VIEWS

LOCAL BOY DIES IN SCOTLAND Master George Spence

KAN-YOUNG

A quiet wedding took place at St. John's Cathedral yesterday afternoon between, Mr. Kan Chee Leuk, son of the late Mr. Kan Tat

yesterday of the death of Master Ham, Wa, of 16A, Village Road, News was received in Hong Kong Young, daughter of Mr. Young Tsol. J.P., and Misa Iris Mui Ha

George Spence, aged

10, and Wongmeichung. The Rev. Lee Kau youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Yan, Vicar of St. Mary's Church, William Spence, of the Hong Kong omciated. and Macao Steamboat Company.

The death occurred at Palsley, been residing for the past. three Scotland, where Mrs. Spence has

years with her children.

The boy had been suffering with Internal trouble for a considerable

time, and hope for his recovery was abandoned some weeks ago.

Mrs. Spence was to have return- ed to Hong Kong early this year.

Complete Colour Film Of Coronation

TO BE SHOWN IN HONG KONG ON MAY 18

The Colony will see a complete colour Alm of the processions and Coronation ceremony on May 18. The King and Queen will be crowned in Westminster Abbey on May 12 and the films will be shown here on May 18.

Mrs. Amy Mollison and Mrs. Beryl Markham have expressed their willingness to by the Atlan- le with the pictures.

Plans have already been made for the German airship, Hinden- burg to fly coples of the aim to The great fim, companies in London and New York are co-pella will leave Frankfurt on the

the United States. The great Zep

all previous hustles, operating in a plan to out-hustle night of the Coronation and will arrive in New York two days later. It is a race between the air-

speedy as planes but is sure, and ship, which is obviously not so

the small planes, fast going but very dangerous.

I think it may falfly be con- tended, however, that the British I shall, I know, be pardoned for Press as a whole offers an example The Power of the Press had ar- case. The paper of which I have to the world which manifests in obtruding a personality in this of good taste and incorruptability rived; and, significantly, I use the the honour of being Editor re- capitals for the first time. Here- solved upon

no mean manner that the phrase These films will be screened at a definite line of "British fair play" is a after they shall be taken for grant policy action in the case of the fastor to moulding the national Theatre on the day of its arrival, definite the King's, Alhambra and Queen's ed. How passions were inflamed Duke of Windsor and his attitude character. To lessen in any way They will occupy a full DO- in the breasts of nations in those towards well-known precedent and whatsoever that hard-won freedom gramme. early days gives, the clue to the accepted conduct. enormous and increasing influence séquently, a clergyman of this Co- ger a truly great achievement, and When. sub-of the British Press would endan- of the Press on the hearts and lony decided to deliver a very it would offer a menace of the minds of peoples in these days of striking sermon on the same subject most urgent character to the free "more science and more so-called But taking an entirely different expression of public opinion

enlightenment.

view, we published his sermon in How that power has developed fall with a streamer headline considers that this great power of If the publle in any instance through the good services of right across the front page of the press is ever belrig abused, then science and the doubtful services our paper. That it was as dame It has in its hands the most do- of graciously termed "duration"!trically opposed to the policy of vastating remedy-withdrawal of is so well known that I need em- our paper as the two Poles, mat-patronage. Consequently, one is phasise nothing more than the tered not one scrap: our view was entitled to argue, that whilst a magnificent Probates proved in that of the normal newspaper newspaper receives the support of favour of the heirs and successors man, namely, We have our policy, the public then its power is being of proprietors of newspapers, not and the Public has its viewpoint. well wielded and the responsive- -only within the Empire, which, by May we be personal again? Iness of the public is proof that it the way they (as newspaper think so. for it is pertinent. *. owners have' assisted materially in

is appreciated. I wrote a Leading Article on! inging" so far) but even outside "Christianity and War" an article is the greatest bulwark for Demo- A trustworthy and trusted Press that aforementioned Empire, to which endeavoured to point outcracy. Its power, based on Ha show you that the power of the the futility of abject paclism and reputation, is undisputably great, Press is indeed great.

the justification of re-armament, and It is significant that is in Now, at long last, 1 approach A local clergyman delivered a what I was billed to speak about, vigorous and brilliant attack oneracy is increasing.

fluence upon an intelligent Demo-

Photograph shows Mis, Tam Pearce and Mr. Paul Hodgson

the Races last Saturday.

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