Walter Williams
Born July 2, 1864, Boonville, Missouri
Died July 29, 1935, Columbia, Missouri
Editor - The Advertiser - Boonville, Missouri - 1884-1889
Editor - The Herald - Columbia Missouri - 1889-1908
Founder and Dean of First
School of Journalism in the World
at the University of Missouri 1908-1930
Curator University of Missouri 1899-1905
President of University of Missouri
1930-1935
The Journalist's Creed
I believe in the profession of journalism.
I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.
I believe that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy, and fairness, are fundamentals to good journalism.
I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.
I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.
I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that bribery by one's own pocketbook is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another's instructions or another's dividends.
I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that the supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.
I believe that the journalism which succeeds best - and best deserves success - fears God and honors Man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance, and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world.
Walter Williams
Marker is on Morgan Street near Main Street (U.S. 40), on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
