Newspapers of Deep South Liberalize Negro Policies
Survey Shows Significant Change In News Style, Pictures, Personnel
By Robert W. Brown
Editor, Columbus (Ga.) Ledger
More than one-half of 34 Deep South daily newspapers responding to a survey are using the titles “Miss” and “Mrs.” in referring to Negroes, and some of them are using the title “Mr.”
Eleven of the 34 have a daily or weekly column of Negro news, six have a daily or weekly page devoted to the Negro community, and all but four use pictures of Negroes to illustrate news or features.
These facts disclose a significant change in attitudes of the press toward the Negro in the last decade. They also indicate that a new field for Negro professionals is opening in the Deep South—that of journalism.
10 Have Negro Reporters
Ten of the 34 newspapers have Negro reporters on their staffs Four are contemplating adding a
The Clarksdale (Miss.) Press Register, serving a population approximately 50-50 white and colored, has six Negro correspondents on a string basis. Managing Editor Harry B. Abernethy wrote
that while the newspaper has not been using the courtesy titles, he is finding the policy “increasingly difficult to follow, and we are considering a change. (The Press Register “integrates” Negro news, instead of separating it in a special
column or on a page designated for the purpose.)
Editor Marian D. Gaines, Pensacola (Fla.) News-Journal, argues for “integration” as against “segregation” of Negro news. The News-Journal uses the titles, and
also stresses Negro pictures when
published in a “con- structive” sense. The use of photos
showing Negroes in constructive
1952
• vu. uuuu.g - activities, by thc Way, has become
N.^o -,ua,[fi«i- for fbo work. ~Srs,'"rJor,% "S The survey questionnaire was tn .
‘We refuse to print special col-
social and economic, as well as
journalistic, factors in the new T"" if
trend toward a more liberal treat- ^egro news shou d stand on Us ment of the colored community. according to ^
Socially, it was developed that Barnes wrote. Most newsfmpers ^ A* With sDecial pascs do not go to mauprating ‘JbscrilJrf. Thus whites do
liberal Negro news policies have
had few or TO protests from white know of the good activities subscribers. (One newspaper re- Negro citizens, ported that all of its complaints Policies Detailed
had originated in the composing State-by-state, here are some of
room.) the findings (reporting, of course.
And economically, there was a only on those newspapers which close and not unexpected correla- responded to the questionnaire): tkm between a progressive Negro Alabama
news policy and the number of Anniston Star —Publishes Sun- Negro subscribers. In one instance, day Negro news column, using however, a newspaper reported titles, publishes photos of Negroes objections from advertisers who in constructive activities; employs did not want their ads appearing Negro to run Sunday column, on pages carrying columns of Ne- Birmingham News —Carries dai- gro news. |y Negro news column, using
Considering a Change titles; publishes constructive pho-
Some of the comments accom- employs Negro to handle
panying the survey were interest- (straight salary), and provides ing and revealing of the new him with Negro news service, •bought in the Deep South. Dothan Eagle — Runs weekly “Frankly,” wrote Publisher H. M. Negro news column, uses titles Ayers, Anniston (Ala.) Star, “I both in column and ROP, pub- •hink it is rather stupid for us not fishes constructive photos, and em- •o use the word ‘Mr.’ or ‘Mrs.’ in ploys Negro (space rate) to all c^es, as it is difficult fully to handle column, identify a person when this is not Montgomery Advertiser — Car- •kJne.” (The Star carries a Sun- ries daily-weekly Negro news page Negro news column, edited which goes to Negro subscribers hy a Negro with “full free rein,” only, with titles used on this page, ^d runs “pictures of prominent News of “sufficient interest” is Negroes occasionally.”) picked up for white edition. Negro
editor & PUBLISHER for December 13. 1952
photos used in white edition only in exceptional cases. Employs Ne¬ gro to handle page (salary).
Selma Times-Journal —Publishes daily Negro news column, using titles in column only, uses photos ROP on features or constructive news, employs Negro for column (salary).
Tuscaloosa News —Uses titles ROP, with ao daily or weekly col¬ umn or page, uses photos, particu¬ larly of Stillman college activities, no Negro employed, none contem¬ plated.
Arkansas
El Dorado News —Has no Negro news column or page, does not use titles, but “encourages Negroes to give us news of their activities and occasionally used pictures, has no Negro on staff, does not contem¬ plate adding one.
Little Rock Gazette —No col¬ umn or page, uses “Mrs.” and “Mr.” in obits; handles pictures “without discrimination” ROP, has no Negro on staff, but contem¬ plates employing one.
Texarkana Gazette —Uses titles ROP, has no special column or page, uses constructive art, em¬ ploys no Negro and doesn’t plan to.
Georgia
A ugiista Chronicle — Dropped daily page which went to Negroes only in favor of Sunday page to all subscribers, titles used on page only, employs Negro news editor and assistant, with office main¬ tained in Negro district. Also publishes daily obit column for Negroes, using titles therein.
Negro Page for 30 Years
Gainesville Times — Uses titles ROP, no special column or page, publishes constructive art, and has “tried to obtain a Negro correspon¬ dent to cover community and do weekly personal column, but never found a “capable person.”
Macon Telegraph — Has carried a Negro news page for 30 years, going to Negro subscribers only, publishes constructive art in both editions, but uses titles only on Negro page. Employs Negro edi¬ tor for stipulated fee.
Columbus Ledger —Uses titles ROP, publishes constructive art, employs no Negro but contem¬ plates doing so.
Thomasville Times-Enlerprise — Uses titles ROP, publishes con¬ structive art, employs no Negro, no plans for one.
Louisiana
Alexandria Town Talk — Does not use titles, has no column or page, submits photos to “ordi¬ nary test of newsworthiness,” em¬ ploys no Negro, contemplates none.
Mark 125th Year Of Negro Press
Chicago—A dinner, observing the 125th aniversary of the first American Negro newspaper, was held here, Dec. 7. The meeting marked the opening of a drive by the Chicago Urban League to raise S 100,000 for a new headquarters.
Enoc Waters, Jr., executive ed¬ itor of the Chicago Defender, told of the original Negro newspaper. Freedom’s Journal, started in New York in 1827 by John B. Russwurm, who was the first of his race to receive a college educa¬ tion in America.
The speaker said names given to early newspapers were indica¬ tive of their militant character.
Baton Rouge Advocate and State Times —Uses titles ROP, usK con¬ structive art, employs no Negro, contemplates none.
Mississippi
Clarksdale Press Register —Does not use titles, but considering change, publishes weekly Negro news column and also spot news daily ROP, uses constructive art, and employs six Negro correspon¬ dents (space rate).
Columbus Commercial Dispatch —Does not use titles, does not use pictures, has no Negro on staff and contemplates none, but uses Negro news ROP according to newsworthiness.
Greenville Delta Democrat — Uses titles ROP, carries no column or page, uses constructive art, em¬ ploys no Negro but has organized plan of covering the community, and contemplates hiring Negro.
Gulfport Herald — Uses title “Mts.” ROP, with no column or page, uses pictures of Negroes only in sports section, has no Negro on staff, contemplates none.
Florida
Lakeland Ledger —Not presently using titles or running special page or column, but using sports pic¬ tures and newsworthy items ROP. “Our paper is expanding and we plan to give organized weekly cov¬ erage to Negroes eventually, pos¬ sibly with special page, including pictures,” reports Editor Harris G. Sims.
Miami Herald —Uses title “Mrs.” ROP, has no special column or page but “is studying steps to ex¬ pand its coverage of Negro news” . . . finds Negro leaders feeling that separate column or page “is carrying segregation into the news¬ paper.” Covers newsworthy Negro events, includes Negro schools in annual Herald Essay Contest and contest winners met with white at presentation luncheon this year with no complaints. In time, might employ Negro reporter.
Constructive Art
Pensacola News-Journal — Uses titles ROP, no column or page, uses constructive art, employs no (Continued on page 76)
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