[It is often said that the mainstream media does not report the truth -- especially about UFOs and paranormal phenomena -- but usually such accusations come from disgruntled citizens outside the news industry, not from a top figure at a major newpaper. But here's what John Swinton, Chief of Staff of the New York Times (and considered "the Dean of his Profession" by his peers), reportedly said when asked to give a toast to "the independent press" at the New York Press Club in 1953. Admittedly, this statement makes no mention of UFOs, and Swinton probably wasn't thinking of UFOs when he made it -- more likely, he was thinking of how badly the national press in 1953 was intimidated by the likes of Senator Joe McCarthy -- but it applies, then and now, to any subject about which the government or other powerful interests wish to control public opinion. CNI News thanks Density4 for sending this item.]
"There is no such thing, at this date of the world's history, in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone.
"The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread.
"You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press?
"We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes."
[EDITOR'S NOTE: CNI News has the distinction of NOT being the tool or vassal of anybody rich behind the scenes, and therefore fearlessly offers only real news and honest opinion at all times. We might occasional be mistaken, but never knowingly deceptive.]
Original file name: .CNI - Honesty in the news?
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