Monday 18 March 2013

On the Responsibility and Freedom of the Press


As the debate continues, I am reminded of these words from the Prospectus announcing the first number of The Manchester Guardian on the 5th of May 1821:

"...It will zealously enforce the principles of civil and religious Liberty, in the most comprehensive sense of those terms; it will warmly advocate the cause of Reform; it will endeavour to assist in the diffusion of just principles of Political Economy; and support, without reference to the party from which they emanate, whatever measures may, according to the matured and unbiassed judgement of its Conductors, tend to promote the moral advantage, or the political welfare, of the Community..."

The alternative? The British Gazette, perhaps? I have original copies of the issues of May 5 and May 10, 1926:





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