Boonville in Cooper County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Walter Williams
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
Erected 2003 by Hulda Rhodes Kitchen, Granddaughter.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1779.
Location. 38° 58.6′ N, 92° 44.669′ W. Marker is in Boonville, Missouri, in Cooper County. Marker is on Morgan Street near Main Street (U.S. 40), on the left when traveling east. Monument is in Morgan Street Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boonville MO 65233, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Milton Turner (here, next to this marker); Hannah Allison Cole (here, next to this marker); David Barton (here, next to this marker); George Caleb Bingham (a few steps from this marker); Frederick T. Kemper (a few steps from this marker); Capture of Boonville (within shouting distance of this marker); Cooper County Korea - Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Cooper County World War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boonville.
Also see . . .
1. A Brief History of the Missouri School of Journalism. (Submitted on August 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Walter Williams. (Submitted on August 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Walter Williams Library. (Submitted on August 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 690 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.