Inaccuracy

To the Editors of The Crimson:

I was pleased to read the Crimson's April 5th and 6th articles on word processors and computers, but startled to find myself "quoted" in both issues. The April 5th quote was alleged to have been uttered "yesterday" i.e. April 4th, and although the April 6th article does not explicitly tell when the statement it cites was made the impression of currency is given by the use of the phrase "he says" and inclusion of the alleged quotation along with statements resulting from a Crimson survey conducted "this week." I have no quarrel with the content of the comments attributed to me. They are statements I might have made. But I am very disturbed by their attribution, because I was away from Cambridge and did not have any contact with the Crimson during the relevant period.

Although the substance of the "quotation" is trivial, an important matter of principle is involved. The role of the press in a democracy is crucial in sustaining an informed electorate. It is for this reason that the press enjoys certain exceptional rights. But it must not ignore the responsibilities that accompany them. When the public learns, through bitter experience, to doubt the accuracy and honesty of the press, a heavy blow is dealt to democracy and to the social contract upon which it is based, and the foundations of the future freedom of the press are weakened. It seems to me that the moral obligations of the press to society should, at Harvard, command greater respect than they might elsewhere. I do not like to seem to be lecturing you on this point, but as a citizen I cannot help but have a feeling of trust betrayed. Howard L. Resnik off   Associate Vice President for Information Services and Technology