Communication Quote by Melanie Benjamin
““We are in receipt of numerous communications concerning the Harper's Ferry affair, and the various topics connected with it... We must decline to publish them all,-simply because we see no possible good which they could accomplish.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Harper's Ferry correspondence, 1859, by Melanie Benjamin
The author refuses to publish all communications because they lack clear benefit.
In simple terms: Not all information is worth sharing.
Key Takeaway
Publish only useful content.
Themes
ethics
media
discretion
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- editorial decisions
- newsroom policy
- historical archives
- public statements
Key Concepts
information value
public interest
journalistic judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria determine a message’s value?
- Who decides what is “good” to publish?
A Different Perspective
Risk of censorship or bias if deciding what to omit.
