To make explicit TIME'S view of the peculiar responsibilities of journalism in wartime

July 4, 1942

During its nearly 20 years of weekly publication, TIME has devoted itself to keeping its readers well informed. It has been the servant of no other cause or master. It has had no ax to grind. And TIME can hope that in informing the best-informed citizens of the Republic it has been performing one of the nation's needful tasks.

Today American citizens have a deep-felt wish and need to dedicate themselves directly to the nation's cause. This is true alike of editors and of readers.

In dedicating TIME wholly to our common cause, the Editors of TIME can and do vow to strain every nerve to do better what they have always aimed to do. The Editors are not unaware of TIME's faults and deficiencies. They are grateful for the constant and progressive criticism of discerning readers. Thanks to them, the Editors hope there may never be a year in which TIME'S standard of performance does not rise.

In this moment of terrible crisis for the Republic, one special problem may be mentioned. That is the problem of telling the truth without injury to the Republic or to any loyal and patriotic group within it.

We are not referring to any problem arising out of censorship. What we have in mind is the necessity for candid reporting and honest criticism, on the one hand; and, on the other, the natural desire at this time not to offend or harass any loyal person or group or institution working in the common cause.

All of us know how great is the need today for a conscious national unity. All of us desire that among the whole American people from Maine to California there should be a sense of complete solidarity, of mutual trust, of comradeship.

At the same time, there must be honest debate and discussion.

At the same time, the truth must be told--even the unpleasant truth.

We state this problem, not to solve it, but simply that readers may realize that we are deeply conscious of it. The problem concerns readers no less than editors.

We are convinced that the truth must be told--the bitter with the sweet, the blame with the praise. But on this day of rededication, and with all TIME readers as witnesses, we pledge all our efforts to the job that is set for us; and to do it, as far as we humanly can, "with malice toward none; with charity for all."

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