[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
it quite fair to blame the newspapers as you do for reporting the trial of Mrs. Barney as they did ?
We have allowed the newspapers (with one or two excep- tions) to become purely commercial concerns. Their aim is, like that of all purely commercial concerns, to make as much money as possible. To swell their profits they must be able to attract advertisers, and charge high prices for inserting their advertisements. To do this they must have large circu- lations; they must appeal to the taste of the largest public.
If you reply to this : "It is disgraceful to appeal to their lowest taste by printing every word of such a trial as this and employing descriptive writers to tell us when the prisoner clasped her hands and how her features contracted with agony," I suggest that the taste for this sort of thing is exactly the same in the mass of people as the taste for nine out of ten novels published nowadays in the smaller number who have opportunity to read them.
Further, I would claim for the newspaper reports and descriptions a decency of expression which is frequently not found in novels. The writers are men of experience and some culture, not immature, undeveloped, prurient little people who think it bold, and perhaps satisfy some nasty craving by indulgence in language and descriptions both unnecessary and disgusting. Reports of murder mysteries are just like the novels which make up so large a part of the fiction of to-day. You do not denounce the writers of these or call it reprehen- sible of publishers to produce them.
If newspapers had a sense of responsibility and aimed at instructing their readers—but they do not.—I am, Sir, &c.,
HAMILTON FYFE.
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