Arthur Hays Sulzberger Quotes

Powerful Arthur Hays Sulzberger for Daily Growth

About Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Arthur Hays Sulzberger (1891-1964) was an American publisher who served as the publisher of The New York Times from 1935 until his retirement in 1961. He was born on October 27, 1891, in New York City, and grew up in a family deeply rooted in journalism. His father, Adolph S. Ochs, purchased The New York Times in 1896, and Sulzberger spent much of his youth working for the paper. Sulzberger graduated from Yale University in 1913 with a degree in economics. After graduation, he began working at The New York Times as an assistant to the business manager. In 1924, he became the newspaper's city editor and was appointed associate publisher in 1935 upon his father's death. That same year, he became the third member of the Ochs-Sulzberger family to serve as publisher of The New York Times. During his tenure as publisher, Sulzberger played a key role in expanding the newspaper's international coverage and establishing The New York Times' reputation as one of the world's premier news organizations. He oversaw several major events, including World War II and the Cold War. In 1947, The New York Times won its first Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting during his leadership. Sulzberger was known for his commitment to objectivity in journalism, a value that he instilled in the newspaper's staff. He also advocated for the role of the free press as a watchdog of government and a defender of democracy. In 1950, he co-authored (with Theodore White) "The Making of the President 1960," a groundbreaking book that offered an in-depth look at the presidential election campaign between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Arthur Hays Sulzberger retired as publisher of The New York Times in 1961. He passed away on March 2, 1964. His legacy continues to influence the world of journalism, with The New York Times remaining one of the most respected newspapers in the United States and around the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The press is the unsung hero in the creation of free societies."

This quote underscores the crucial role that a free and independent press plays in nurturing and sustaining democratic, open, and free societies. By providing accurate, timely, and diverse information to the public, the press serves as an essential check on power, fosters informed debate, and empowers citizens to make informed decisions. The unsung aspect of this role emphasizes that while we often take for granted the work of journalists, their contributions are invaluable in upholding the principles of a free society.

"Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy."

The quote underscores that freedom of the press is not merely a component of democracy but an integral part that defines its essence. It signifies that an independent press, able to report without censorship or bias, serves as the "conscience" of society, holding powerful entities accountable for their actions, and thus upholding transparency, truth, and the integrity of the democratic process. In other words, democracy exists in the harmony of free speech and a free press, ensuring an informed populace that can make sound decisions in their collective governance.

"The greatest function of a newspaper is to make the powerful accountable to the powerless."

This quote by Arthur Hays Sulzberger underscores the critical role newspapers play in society. He emphasizes that their primary purpose should be to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly between those in positions of power and those who are less privileged. In essence, the press serves as a watchdog, upholding truth, justice, and democracy by holding influential figures responsible for their actions.

"The press should be independent, fearless, and free from every form of political control or influence."

This quote by Arthur Hays Sulzberger emphasizes the importance of a free and unbiased press in any democratic society. It implies that for the media to function effectively, it must remain independent from political control or influence to provide accurate and impartial information essential for informed public discourse. The "fearless" aspect suggests the press should not shy away from reporting truthfully, even if it's difficult or controversial. Overall, the quote underscores the press' role in preserving transparency and accountability in governance.

"A newspaper's first loyalty is to the truth."

This quote underscores the fundamental principle that a newspaper, as a trusted source of information, should prioritize truth above all else. It emphasizes the importance of journalism in upholding integrity, transparency, and accuracy in reporting, ensuring that the public is well-informed with reliable facts. This commitment to truth serves not only as a cornerstone of good journalism but also strengthens the bond between the media and its audience, fostering trust and credibility.

Between 1939 and 1945 you produced weapons and war equipment valued at thirteen billion dollars, 70 per cent of which you shipped to your allies. The same process is going on today in Canada's much larger and growing industry.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Larger, Dollars, Cent, Thirteen

I look askance at any movement which assists in making the peacemaker among nations merely a national warrior.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Warrior, Making, Which, Peacemaker

News is so often a report of conflict, an account of problems, a thing of the day and even of the minute, that sometimes I think we make the background darker and the shadows deeper than they actually are.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Think, News, I Think, Report

The statesmen still say that we should not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and yet it is not possible any longer not to interfere, even when we do not mean to do so.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Other, Still, Internal, Affairs

For if the Germans do not help defend the West, American and Canadian troops must cross the seas to do the job, and I venture to believe that the troops - if not the statesmen - regard this as an interference at least in their own domestic affairs.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Own, Cross, Canadian, Affairs

Speakers are not supposed to waste time on platitudes, but the capacity of this generation for ignoring the obvious and concentrating on the negative and the obscure is immense.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Generation, Waste, Immense

For eleven months and maybe about twenty days each year, we concentrate upon the shortcomings of others, but for a few days at the turn of the New Year we look at our own. It is a good habit.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

New, Maybe, Months, Concentrate

I believe in an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Mind, Fall, Brains, Open

Free nations with different histories, economies and a vast amount of stubborn pride will never achieve complete agreement, even when they desire the same objectives.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Stubborn, Agreement, Amount, Histories

What Ottawa and Washington used to think about Turkey or Iran was not very important because we really didn't think much about either, but now what we think about them is extremely important - to ourselves and to many other peoples.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Think, Other, Very, Ottawa

I am a non Zionist because the Jew, in seeking a homeland of his own, seems to me to be giving up something of infinitely greater value of the world.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Giving Up, Own, Infinitely, Jew

Any coalition has its troubles, as every married man knows.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Man, Married Man, Coalition, Troubles

All nations are more tolerant of their own mistakes and weaknesses than of the mistakes and weaknesses of others.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Own, More, Tolerant, Weaknesses

The United States can tell you all about what's wrong with the British, to say nothing of the Russians.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Tell, United, United States, Russians

We tell the public which way the cat is jumping. The public will take care of the cat.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Public, Which, Take, Cat

We journalists tell the public which way the cat is jumping. The public will take care of the cat.

- Arthur Hays Sulzberger

Public, Which, Take, Cat

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.