Since 1897 , the word " All the News That ’s set to Print"have appearedon the upper left - hand recess of copies ofThe New York Times . Adolph S. Ochs , the man who buy theTimesin 1896 , begin this tradition because he wanted a slogan that would part his report from its more arresting ( and , at the fourth dimension , more successful ) rival . But is it true ?
If you are skeptical of theTimes ' assertion regarding the printing fitness of all their news program , you will be happy to learn that somebody already made a formal inquiry for you .
In 1960 , U.S. Congressman Wright Patman enquire the Federal Trade Commission to look into the motto , as he worried the motto might constitute simulated advertising . Patman wrote to the FTC : " for certain this questionable title has a inclination to make the public trust , and probably does make the public believe , thatThe New York Timesis superior to other newspapers . " Patman complained that the newspaper publisher “ certainly does not print all the news and seldom prints all the important news . ” ( He provided no deterrent example . )
The FTC review Patman ’s request and issued a healthy rejection . A spokesperson relayed the commission ’s decision , tell , " We do not trust there are any apparent nonsubjective monetary standard by which to mensurate whether ' news ' is or is not ' fit to publish ' … lack such standard , we think that such a motto is not a deceit of a substantial fact capable of deceive the populace . ”
So , whether or notThe New York Timesfeatures " all the news that ’s fit to print " is beside the point . It ’s a blemished question , and the FTC would rather you not waste your time ask them about it .
On May 28 , 1960,The New York Timespublished a shortwire help reportabout the FTC ’s decision regarding Patman ’s request . It appear on page seven , mean it was set to publish … but just scarce .
