The Jeremiad Over Journalism

each article should answer a wide array of questions, where the most common were, ―When, Where,
How, Why and Who." 154 Cavling also called for the independence of newspapers to ensure that it
was possible to follow a given editorial course without being afraid of repercussions.
―No paper acquires influence unless it is so affluent that it without fear can follow the course
it has set. An ignorant, myopic people equal a weak and dependent press. But next to
newspapers there are, in the modern society, not two factors, which to the degree of radio and
movies counteract ignorance, short-sightedness and materialistic myopia. Our generation‘s
newspaper editors need not fear, that their publications are to intelligent for the vast masses,
even if the circulation is not counted in whole and half millions. The smart editor rather fears
the opposite.‖ 155
According to the Danish media researcher John Chr. Jørgensen the Anglo-American style of news
writing was adopted in Denmark around 1930 but the Danish press still harbored views associated
with political parties. 156 Over time, however, American ―objective‖ news values, with the help of
the American government and its ―free press crusade,‖ were incorporated into transnational
journalistic organizations. 157
When The International Federation of Newspaper Publishers (FIEJ) was created, the three
Scandinavian countries were all among the 12 founders in Paris in June 1948. 158 The organization‘s
154
John Chr. Jørgensen, Journalistik Med Stil: Fra Klassiske Nyheder Til Fortælling [Journalism with Style - From
Classical News to Narrative] (Aarhus: Ajour, 2007). Page 10-13.
155
Ole Cavling, Journalistik - Kortfattet Vejledning I Moderne Journalistik [Brief Guide to Modern Journalism]
(København [Copenhagen]: Nordisk Forlag, 1928). Page 9. My translation. Original text reads, ―Intet Blad erhverver
sig Indflydelse, medmindre det er saa velhavende, at det uden Frygt kan følge den Kurs, det har sat sig. Et uvidende,
snæversynet Folk er ensbetydende med en svag og afhængig Presse. Men næst efter Aviserne findes der i det moderne
Samfund ikke to Faktorer, der i den Grad som Radioen og Filmen modarbejder Uvidenhed, Kortsynethed og
materialistisk Snæversyn. Vort Slægtleds Avisledere i De forenede Stater behøver ikke at frygte for, at deres Blade er
for intellligente for den store Mængde, selv om Oplagene tælles i hele og halve Millioner Eksemplarer. Den kloge
Redaktør frygter snarere det modsatte.‖
156
Jørgensen, Journalistik Med Stil: Fra Klassiske Nyheder Til Fortælling [Journalism with Style - From Classical
News to Narrative]. Page 11.
157
Hallin and Mancini, Comparing Media Systems. Three Models of Media and Politics. Page 256. Hallin and Mancini
note that the World Association of Newspapers since 1948 through ―training programs, conferences, publications, and
lobbying‖ has promoted the liberal (Anglo-American) conception of press freedom and professionalism. See also
Margaret A. Blanchard, Exporting the First Amendment: The Press-Government Crusade of 1945-1952, ed. Ray Eldon
Hiebert, Longman Series in Public Communication (New York: Longman, 1986). Page 1.
158
Chresten Brixtofte, "F.I.E.J., Den Internationale Bladudgiver-Organisation Oprettet [F.I.E.J., the International
Publisher Organization Founded]," in Medlemsblad for Organisationen af Bladudgivere i Provinsen (Medlemsblad for
Organisationen af Bladudgivere i Provinsen. July, 1948). Page 5. The 12 founding nations consisted of France,
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