60 years ago — February 28, 1955
Amid the concerns of racial tensions and the Presbyterian discussions of reunion there is a small announcement with a great impact. The Presbyterian Tribune, “the only independent journal of the Presbyterian Church, USA, is to be continued by the merger with The Presbyterian Outlook, independent journal of the U.S. Church … . Certainly the Presbyterian Church,
both north and south, needs an independent journal which is subservient to no ecclesiastical bureaucracy. Inevitably, denominationally owned and controlled journals become house organs, with freedom definitely limited, all pious disclaimers notwithstanding. We trust that this new combined journal to our Presbyterian friends will be representative of the best traditions of American press freedom and step on Presbyterian ecclesiastical toes when they need stepping on for the common good — something house organs are not in the habit of doing! … We hope there are enough freedom-loving Presbyterians to give this independent journal the support it will need to do its essential job as it can be and should be done.”
From the article, “Independent Journalism” reprinted from The Churchman (Episcopal, New York)
