Honour Among Journalists
SIR,—Mr Donald McLachlan, as one would expect of him, produces a well-reasoned argument to sup- port his belief (SPECTATOR. January 6) that 'news- papermen, especially those concerned with editing, commenting and reporting on public affairs, should not accept honours from governments.'
Admittedly, the newspaperman 'is in a special relationship with government'—and, of course, with local authorities and a host of other important or- ganisations—but why should newspaper people be regarded as 'a class apart'? Surely, so long as we have an honours system, anyone who has given out- standing service to the community should not be exempt from recognition by the state; and one cannot imagine that Mr Trevor Evans. Mr Alexander Jeans and Mr Neville Cardus, three individuals men- tioned by Mr McLachlan, would ever have accepted knighthoods or any other award if by so doing they felt that in return they had to bestow favours on politicians, 'the men who give honours and expect favours.'
These three men have each given distinguished and exceptional service to the public. If it is urged that they and other newspapermen should not accept honours, then logically a whole range of other people engaged in public activities, which bring them into special relationship with the government in one way and another, should similarly decline the offer of such recognition.
FREDERICK C. GILLMAN 3 Sunbury Avenue, East Sheen, London SW 14
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