Lest anyone assume the prime purpose of National Newspaper Week is drim1-beating for the newspaper industry, let us help you to a better understanding. Newspaper Week (Sept. 15-21) is a time for all Americans to reflect on the blessings of a free press, part of our national heritage provided by the founding fathers, The theme of this year’s commemoration stresses that concept: “Freedom of the press is everybody’s freedom.” The very first amendment to the Constitution provides for press freedom – and this is crucial to safeguarding all other rights. With a free press, the people have the right to know what government is doing at the various levels. Combining this freedom with others, citizens individually or collectively are free to question, criticize and recommend. In a broader view, they have a right to be informed on governmental and other matters to have the facts on which to form intelligent opinions. Most nations don’t even approach our concept of a free press. At the other end of the scale, contrast the Soviet Union philosophy with ours. The Soviet view once was enunciated in these words by Nikolai Lenin, quoted recently by Richard Johnson. head of the American Newspaper Publishers Association: ”Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal than guns. Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pemicious opinion calculated to embarrass the government’?” Even with our constitutional guarantees in America, we must remember that preservation of our rights is a continuing crusade. As Thomas Paine said more than 175 years ago: “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” In other words, the people have a responsibility. too. In practical operation. the First Amendment doesn’t automatically ensure compliance with the free press concept. Thus, publishers, editors and reporters often find themselves fighting for the peoples right to know. Most public officials recognize the role and the benefits of a free press and cooperate. Yet, time and time again, the press must stand its ground against unwarranted “executive sessions,” coverups and runarounds. Newspapers challenge such attempts to suppress news. not through selfish concern, but because of the overriding responsiblity t.hey feel for doing their job and protecting the public’s right to know. What it boils down to is that often the representatives of the press are the only eyes. ears and voices the people have to report the day’s news, including the actions of government. When we are denied legitimate information, the rights of society in general are impaired. The free press has its restrictions and responsibilities, of course. It stands accountable for its actions before the law and the people. Sometimes adverse court rulings deepen the challenge. in his National Newspaper Week message, President Ronald Reagan calls a free press “one of the greatest safeguards of human rights” and drives home the fact that we are all beneficiaries. Yes, “freedom of the press is everybody’s freedom,” as the week’s slogan says. The Daily Herald invites you, our readers, to join in reflecting on that important truth as once agairy we commemorate this annuyf observance. ,,’2;:,, –% X