America 1929: John F. Kennedy, the Great Writer

Shortly after moving into Park Slope, Arthur finished his new column in his new home’s study and published it in the New York Herald on Saturday.

The title of this issue is: "Discussion on Economic Recovery".

Mayor's Office, 10:00 AM.

Mayor Harker was reading the newspaper when the administrative director, Humphrey, walked in.

"Good morning, Mayor. We have prepared a prepared statement for today's press conference."

Harker took the prepared remarks: "Let me see. 'The economic fundamentals of Ames remain strong'? Humphrey, are you sure you want me to say this?"

"Of course, Mr. Mayor. That's standard phrasing."

Harker was puzzled: "But unemployment is rising, shops are closing, and cargo volume at the docks has dropped by sixty percent..."

Humphrey nodded: "That's precisely why we need to emphasize the strong economic fundamentals."

"I don't understand this logic."

Humphrey explained, "Yes, Mayor, it's the art of politics. When things are good, we say things are good. When things are bad, we also say things are good."

"When should we say things are not going well?"

Humphrey laughed. "Oh, Mayor, we never say that. If we admit things are bad, the public will panic. Panic will make things worse. So we have to say things are fine so the public will have confidence."

Harker was somewhat angry: "But the public sees the reality. They know things aren't good."

Humphrey maintained his smile: "They only see the part. Only we have the big picture. So it's our responsibility to tell them that, from a global perspective, things are good."

"But from a holistic perspective, the situation isn't good either."

"Mayor, you're thinking with facts again. Politics isn't about facts, it's about confidence."

"I still feel something's not quite right..." Huck shook his head.

Humphrey sat down and said gracefully, "Mayor, let me put it another way. What happens if you say the economy is bad?"

Will the public know the truth?

"No. The media will say you're incompetent. The opposition will demand your resignation. Investors will withdraw their funds. Things will get worse. Then the media will say, 'See, we knew he was incompetent.'"

"So I have to lie?"

"No, no, no, Mr. Mayor. This isn't lying; it's the art of managing the truth. Lying means deliberately presenting false information. We are selectively emphasizing certain true information."

"What true information?"

Humphrey counted on his fingers: "For example, although the unemployment rate has risen, the absolute number of employed people is still very high. Although many shops have closed, even more shops are still open. Although the volume of cargo at the docks has decreased, there is still forty percent of the cargo volume."

Harker was somewhat surprised: "So 'strong economic fundamentals' means...?"

"This means the economy hasn't completely collapsed yet."

"Is this considered strong?"

"Under the current circumstances, it's already quite impressive that it hasn't completely collapsed."

Huck smiled wryly: "Humphrey, sometimes I think you should write novels."

Humphrey bowed slightly. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Mayor. But I prefer writing speeches. Novels require imagination, speeches only require skill."

However, unlike before, the day after the article was published, as if by prior arrangement, a wave of criticism from newspapers came rushing in.

The first to launch an attack was The New York Tribune, which focuses on serious discussions of issues and upright news reporting, rejecting content that is sensational or sensational.

They published a strongly worded article in the editorial section titled: "This is not news, this is a farce."

Recently, a worrying trend has emerged in some newspapers: replacing real reporting with fictional dialogues and objective analysis with dramatic scenes.

We're talking about the column in The New York Herald called "Yes, Mayor".

The author of this column is the one who calls himself "Honest Man".

He recently started writing a strange type of article: fictional dialogues between a mayor and his staff, which he uses to satirize the government.

We can't help but ask: Is this news?

News should be based on facts. Journalists should conduct interviews, investigations, and verifications.

And what about this "honest man"? He sat in his office, made up conversations out of thin air, and then claimed that he was "revealing the truth."

This isn't news; it's theatrical creation.

Even more absurdly, in his fictional dialogue, the mayor and his staff are portrayed as foolish clowns.

This is an insult to public officials.

The mayor may have his problems, but he is by no means a fool. His staff are also experienced professionals.

To portray them in this way is not only unfair, but also misleading to the public.

Most worryingly, some academic institutions actually support this practice.

Columbia University and New York University's journalism schools have issued public statements supporting this "honest man."

We can't help but ask: Are these academies that train future journalists going to train reporters or playwrights?

If journalism schools consider fictional conversations to be news reporting, then we are deeply concerned about the future of American journalism.

We urge The New York Herald to stop publishing such articles.

If they insist on publishing it, at least put it in the entertainment section, not the news section.

Because this isn't news, it's entertainment. Or rather, it's a farce.

The publication of this editorial immediately triggered a chain reaction.

Several other newspapers that claim to publish serious news followed suit, publishing articles with similar viewpoints.

The Washington Post published a commentary titled "The Danger of Fiction."

Some newspapers in New York are setting a dangerous precedent.

They allow columnists to create fictional dialogues and scenarios, and then publish these fictional contents as news.

The danger of this approach is that it blurs the line between fact and fiction.

Readers who see these conversations will think they are real.

Even if the author claims it's "satire," and even if readers know it's fiction, these dialogues will still leave an impression on them.

They will begin to believe that government officials really think this way and really talk this way.

This is a form of covert brainwashing.

It is more dangerous than a direct lie because it is disguised as "satire" and "art".

We understand that criticism of the government is necessary during times of economic hardship.

But criticism should be based on facts, not fabrications.

If we allow journalists to fabricate content to criticize the government, then tomorrow, the government can also fabricate content to defend itself.

At that point, the entire public discussion will become a fictitious competition, and the truth will be nowhere to be found.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was even more direct: "Honest Men Should Go to Broadway."