1916, because the Federation proved to be too unwieldy and loosely articulated an organization for the purpose of securing results in reasonable time.
The new association, however, built upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, and adopted as one of its requirements of membership a policy of strict adherence to the "Standards of Practice." The association is not yet all-inclusive by any means, but this does not necessarily imply that papers not included in its membership are not willing to subscribe to the "Standards of Practice." Most of them, indeed, could easily satisfy the association on this score. It is significant, however, that a prominent requirement for membership in the "A. B. P." is acceptance of the code. This fact gives to the code the weight of authority and also establishes the reputation of the Associated Business Papers, Incorporated, as an organization which maintains high standards.
In this connection it is interesting to note that the British Association of Trade and Technical Journals also has adopted "Standards of Practice"[1] which are fundamentally the same in spirit as those of the American association, although differing in phraseology. This action of the British publishers and the wording of their "Standards" indicate that the problems of industrial publishing are much the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
The "Standards of Practice"
The "Standards of Practice for Business Papers" of the American association are ten in number and characterized by their brevity and practicality. They do not go into the philosophy of their subject but are confined to telling what to do under all circumstances involving ethical considerations.
The "Standards" begin with the statement that the business paper is to be published primarily in the interests of the subscriber. This simple principle will serve as a basis of settlement of many of the trying problems which arise in the business. While the subscriber pays probably not more than 10 per cent of the cost of issuing the paper, the whole paper is addressed to him. The advertiser is willing to furnish the other nine-tenths of the cost for the privilege of reaching him. This money is well spent, for the industrial paper reaches a definite class of readers who are interested in the product of the advertiser. The circulation of the paper is selective, in that the paper is subscribed for, and read by people who are looking for specialized information. Thus, while in the editorial columns there is nothing which savors of advertising, the editorials and articles are directing the thought of the subscribers along lines which will make them interested readers of advertising also, if they need apparatus or service. In this way a paper, while serving the reader first, also serves the advertiser. And, obviously, it owes service of the proper kind to the advertiser who is paying most of the bills.
The second of the "Standards" calls for truth and honesty in all departments. This may seem trite, but the responsibility of a business paper for the character of the statements made in its columns and in its name by its representatives, is so great that public commitment to this principle is desirable as an acknowledgment of this responsibility.
A logical sequel to this need for truth is that for a distinct line of demarcation between facts and opinion in the paper. This need is recognized in the third "Standard," which is, of course, the rule in journalism
- ↑ Reprinted in full on page 297.
