Volume 18, Number 12 · June 29, 1972
The Press: Freedom From, as well as Of
By Robert Craft
In an address at Montclair State College (N.J.) on May 29, the president and publisher of The New York Times remarked that 'there is nothing wrong with anyone…speaking out vigorously when they [sic] think our facts are wrong or our opinions wrongheaded.' But where, Mr. Sulzberger, can he, or they, speak out? For the Times is virtually without competition. Nor is it noted for its hospitality to those who 'think [its] facts are wrong.' Mr. Sulzberger went on to defend our 'unfettered press' to the extent of rejecting 'various proposals within the journalistic community' that 'press councils' 'monitor' and 'correct' its 'performance.' But why? Should the press be above correction when in error? Does the correcting of the press's facts necessarily 'fetter' it?
Feature, 1949 words
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