"The organic act which lies back of the work college editors are doing provides for the gathering and dissemination of information. It was never intended that public funds should be used for "institutional promotion," "propaganda," "press-agenting," "space-grafting," "publicity," "self laudation," "selling" or call it what you will. If "institutional promotion" - to give it the benefit of the least obnoxious designation - comes as a "by-product" of news and helpful information, there's no harm done. But an item aimed to benefit the institution rather than the person who reads that item is not only subversive to the purposes of the college, but is also subversive to the interests of the so-called "by-product." The college has no mandate to work the newspapers; yet it has a sufficient warranty to work for its readers."
Brief summary of a talk by John R. Fleming, writer for the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon. He said he doubts whether it is possible for Extension to be both a propaganda and an educational institution at the same time. "As editors who want something intellectually satisfying to work for, we shall probably prefer that Extension pursue the path of education." American Association of Agricultural College Editors.