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The Sydney Monitor quotes from the Australian (which in turn quoted from the Sydney Herald) regarding the editorship of Sydney newspapers. The Monitor objects to the Australian's arguments on two grounds.
Firstly, although the Monitor has no issue with emancipists being involved with the running of newspaper, it believes that those still serving their terms should not hold positions of responsibility in the press as, being under the control of the executive government, they cannot be considered truly independent. Secondly, the Monitor declares that the Australian is mistaken in its assertion that no persons of a 'certain class' are running newspapers in the colongy. The Monitor is unequivocal in stating that 'part of the Sydney Press is notoriously under the control of a person who is not freed, though partially emancipated'. (The Monitor is likely referring to William Watt (q.v.).)
The writer for the Monitor then goes on to declaim about the nature of newspaper writers and editors in general, noting that the names of editors of British newspapers are not generally known, but the tone of newspapers is set by the character of the proprietors (whose names are known). Newspaper columns are read in the belief that their writers are honest and independent. The Monitor concludes: 'Measures should be taken to place the Press under the agency of men of integrity.'
