August 1958

We are impatient with the man who does not expect-in fact refuses to . wants to tell us things “off the accept-public credit in the public record.” We are suspicious of the prints for it is one that can be ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS man who is willing to give us the appreciated most fully by newsstory if we promise not to use his papermen. name. I’m sure we have members of AA from the Viewpoint of But in the case of AA, news- in our office. I only know one, perpapers have accepted the rule sonally. But I have yet to meet a the Press of anonymity from the very begin- man who expected special symning. I can’t think of a case at the pathy or consideration because he moment where your rule has not had licked the bottle. been respected, although I suppose I’m sure that, as long as your An excerpt from a talk by L. M. McKechnie, there are sure to have been organization follows this fundamen- “breaks.” tal policy, you can expect all decent Assistant to the Publisher of The Telegram, newspapers not only to respect your The idea that a man, or an or- Toronto, a t the Ontario Regional ganization, is doing something rule-but to support your efforts good and useful for mankind and in every way they can. (End) Conference last March 29th.

I paper office,believe HONESTLY that in a news- The one aspect of Alcoholics at least in the news- Anonymous which impresses newsroom of a newspaper, AA and its papermen most (it’s probably an purpose are assured of more gen- unconscious impression but neveruine sympathetic treatment than in theless effective) is the anonymity any other sphere of our bciety. of the individuals who compose tLe Newspapermen, by the very na- organization. ture of their daily jobs, are more I have read the reasons of one familiar with, more tolerant of and of your founders for the vital need more understanding of the problems of personal anonymity in AA. I of the compulsive drinker than any agree with most of his reasons. other professional group. Most of all I agree that anonymity Then-and this refers specifically is the most potent force you have to AA-there is a psychological in establishing good public relafactor. Newspapers and newspaper- tions. men are constantly besieged by Normally newspapermen have no publicity seekers. They know the use for anonymity. Except in rare breed well. They develop an occu- instances we hold anonymous letpational contempt for them. ter writers to be beneath con tempt.