The Cato Diet

Michaela Takatch 

mt019816@ohio.edu

Journalism is an ever evolving practice. Across modes, across methods, across times. Yet as Kovach and Rosenstiel note, there seems to remain a single strand that runs through the history of journalistic practice, that of providing people with knowledge so that they can make their own decisions. 

To express this idea, many have proposed ways to ensure this golden aim can be upheld, such as having coverage that is balanced and fair to all sides, or that the press has the ability to be critical of the government. It’s interesting to see how these goals have developed over time, alongside the development of nations and schools of thought. One place some of these can dawn from, is Roman orator and political figure, Cato.

 

Image via The Louve

Born in 95 BC, he became well known for his “moral integrity, immunity to bribes, and famous distaste for the corruption of the period.” (Heinemann, 1919) His strong morals, masterful speeches and interest in the common good, were all very respected. His life even became the subject of a play by English playwright Joseph Addison, which was first performed in 1713 to great reviews. Titled ‘Cato, a Tragedy’, it focused on themes of individual liberty in regard to government tyranny (particularly Cato’s abjection to Julius Caesar’s rule). 

It would be eight years later that two London newspapermen, John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon, would publish their own series of papers, under the synonym of Cato, “condemning corruption and lack of morality with the British political system and warning against tyranny”. (Hamowy, 1995) They felt that “truth should be a defense against libel”, which was radical for the time, as English common law held that any criticism of the government was a crime. (Kovach and Rosnstiel, 23)

Like Addison, Tenchard and Gordon, many saw parallels between Cato’s struggles and their own. A few of these people, ended up being founding figures for a new state: America. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were among those who were very familiar with these writings, and felt a connection to the ideas of liberty and justness, especially as “discontent against the English Crown was growing”. (Kovach and Rosenstiel, 23) The ideas presented by the various ‘Catos’  became so influential, they even showed up in the First Amendment on the Bill of Right’s: upholding freedom of speech, and championing a free press.

  

Image via Wikipedia

Today, the spirit of Cato is as strong as ever. In 1977 the Cato Institute was founded, a public policy  think tank, named after the Tenchard and Gordon letters. It’s interesting to note the stated mission of the Cato Institute, which is “dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.“ It lines up in several spots with the ideologies of Cato, in his deep research, commitment to liberty, and steadfast morals. And like Cato’s deflection of bribes or outside influence, the Cato Institute is not government funded, in an effort to remain independent.

When looking at the purposes of journalism, many of them are reflected by Cato. The media is a place of discussion and information, of which, it can empower people to choose for themselves. By operating as an objective entity, and adhering to a high sense of morals, it can ensure it has the responsibility to match its power, and earn people’s trust through the strength of its character.

Sources:

John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon. Essays on Liberty, Civil and Religious, and Other Important Subjects. ed. and annotated by Ronald Hamowy. 2 vols. (Indianapolis, Liberty Fund, 1995). The standard modern edition.

Cato the Younger. W. Heinemann, 1919. p. 249.

Kovach, B., & Rosenstiel, T. (n.d.). The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect (Revised and Updated 3rd Edition ed.).