LEGITIMATE PRESS CRITICISM OR 

 TREASONABLE PUBLICATION; WHICH? 



By A LEGAL CORRESPONDENT 



On several occasions, writings in the press have given rise to 

 uneasiness lest the limit of criticism permissible to a loyal 

 citizen has been dangerously approached, if, indeed, it has not 

 been crossed. 



Undoubtedly the press is justified in directing attention to 

 defects in administration if no detriment to ourselves or our 

 Allies results. If, however, weakness in organisation is laid 

 bare in the newspaper, or lamentable shortness of men or 

 materiel is disclosed in print, or mistaken strategy is pro- 

 claimed in periodic literature, the action may clearly assume a 

 treasonable hue. As between flagrant treason and patently 

 innocuous discussion there is no question of right or wrong ; 

 but in some cases great difficulty is encountered in the attempt 

 to distinguish justifiable criticism from treasonable pamphleteer- 

 ing. In difficult instances, by what standard are we to judge 

 whether the border-line has been passed ? 



If the result of a publication leads to decisive improvement, 

 an individual may pardon what otherwise in his own mind 

 he would reprehend. On the other hand, timid folk might 

 defer wholly to authority and condone a total suppression of 

 criticism. But so long as criticism is permitted, criticism may 

 proceed to limits and in the end perhaps enhance the very 

 evils against which it is directed. Where clear distinction is 

 seen between legitimate discussion and enemy-aiding criticism, 

 no excuse can avail the offender even though his motives be 

 of the highest ; but in border-line cases where guidance is 

 wanting, how can it be determined whether an offence has been 

 committed ? In view of keen competition between newspaper 

 and periodical, and the intense desire evinced by the public 

 to learn the causes of failure and to discuss how best they 

 may be avoided, the extent to which criticism may safely proceed 

 is of deep concern. 



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