“Shun, whenever it is possible, all stories affecting the characters of women.”
WHAT NOT TO SEND
Here are some of the things that most newspapers include in their lists of what not to send:
1. Trivial accidents, such as the breaking of an arm or leg by machinery, unless the person hurt is of wide prominence.
2. Insignificant robberies or burglaries.
3. Murders in which the persons concerned are obscure or in which there is no element of mystery.
4. Unmentionable offenses, breach of promise, abandonment and similar cases. If, however, the circumstances are very unusual, send the facts guardedly, but only the facts that can be verified through judicial proceedings. “Such stories,” the Chicago Tribune adds, “should be handled with extreme care. Where lynching or attempts to lynch follow assaults, that fact should be bulletined immediately.”
5. Daily accounts of trials, murder or otherwise, unless specifically ordered.
6. Puffs of individuals, hotels, etc., or any other form of free advertising. No press agent stories are wanted.
7. Obituaries of obscure persons.