Code of Decency--The Marion Star

The following below is a code of decency from The Marion Star newspaper circa 1920. It was written by President Warren G. Harding when he was editor of the Star.

• Remember there are two sides to every question. Get them both.
• Be truthful.
• Get the facts. Mistakes are inevitable, but strive for accuracy. I would rather have one story exactly right than a hundred half wrong.
• Be decent. Be fair. Be generous.
• Boost--don't knock. There's good in everybody. Bring out the good and never needlessly hurt the feelings of anybody.
• In reporting a political gathering, get the facts: Tell the story as it is, not as you would like to have it.[my italics]
• Treat all parties alike. If there is any politics to be played, we will play them in our editorial columns.
• Treat all religious matters reverently.
• If it can possibly be avoided, never bring ignominy on an innocent man or child, in telling of the misdeeds or misfortunes of a relative.
• Don't wait to be asked, but do it without the asking.
• And, above all, be clean. Never let a dirty word or suggestion story get into type.
• I want this paper to be so conducted that it can go into any home without destroying the innocence of any child.

Source: The Words We Live By by Brian Burrell (1997).

You think this code is taught by any journalism school? It should be. It's good advice. By the way, The Marion Star is still in business. It is based out of Marion, Ohio. Here is current code for the drive-by-media:

• Remember there are two sides to every question. Get your friends (ie Liberals) side and distort the other side.
• Be truthful if you want. No need to report all the important facts. Downplay any fact that does not fit your agenda.
• Opinions, polls, and innuendo are more important than the facts.
• Be decent, fair and generous only to your friends.
• Always hurt the feelings of people you don't like (ie the Conservatives). There is never good in them.
• If Democrats are getting together make sure you spin it toward the positive. If it is Republicans are getting together spin it toward the negative.
• If there is any politics to be played, we will state our opinion in any story we print.
• Portray all the religious right as nuts.

Anyway, as always, that is my opinion of the press nowadays.