Objectivity has long been contentious in American journalism. Many practitioners call it essential to a news organization's credibility. Critics, however, hold objectivity is impossible and urge reporters simply to reveal their biases. For educators, teaching objectivity is challenging. Some, seeking a middle ground, instead urge fairness and…

From August 2006 through August 2007, Elvira Arellano, an undocumented Mexican immigrant, lived in a church on Chicago's West Side with her U.S.-born 7-year-old son, Saul, to avoid a deportation order. Her plight played out in Chicago-area and national media, piggybacking on a nationwide debate on immigration. This study focuses on one piece of…

Studies the news values, practices, and role of journalists in the Soviet Union. Claims that, although the Soviet press currently resembles a corporate public relations department, there are signs of change because of public demands. States that journalistic practices in the U.S. and Soviet Union are similar in their reliance on routine and…

Analyzes the opinions and decisions of editorial cartoonists and their editors concerning the limits of taste, or what is "fair game" in editorial cartooning. Concludes that, although cartoonists want to push barriers and use a broad definition of "fair game," editors have a more conservative view. (MM)

This article focuses on how five journalists arrived at their decisions about how to report policy, particularly educational policy. It is part of a larger study that takes the position that the media play a central role in educational policy-making and that educators need to understand the power that journalists working within corporate…

Suggests that while endorsements seem to sway a few voters, the effect is so small that such endorsements are unlikely to influence the outcome of an election. (FL)

Factor analysis of 50 editors' responses to a questionnaire eliciting information about objectivity found general agreement on the subject but clear differences of emphasis on various aspects of it. (FL)

Examines pressures facing the African American press by focusing on its coverage of the 1991 nomination of Clarence Thomas to the United States Supreme Court. Discusses the dilemma these newspapers faced in choosing between supporting African Americans and supporting civil rights, with their mixed coverage of the story reflecting this dilemma. (SR)

Reports that editorial page editors and cartoonists agree on most aspects of the cartoonist's role, but differ on the amount of freedom allowed the cartoonist. (FL)

Results of a survey of 359 editors of nondaily newspapers indicates that most nondaily editors see their editorials and editorial pages as important segments of their newspapers and believe they can use them to help influence readers, particularly on local issues. (Author/GT)

A study focused on isolating the differences in perceptions community newspaper editors have about the functions of their newspapers, and determining how those attitudes affect the editors' definition of news and, ultimately, the content of the newspapers. The study hypothesized (1) that the perceptions community newspaper editors have toward the…

To let newspaper researchers know the information sources used for various applications and the value of each of the sources, 122 Newspaper Research Council members were surveyed in February 1988 (with a 75% response rate). Questions concerned the frequency of use of various listed sources, and the value, location, and applications for each…

Examines criminal defendants' perceptions of the free press/fair trial issue with respect to perceived influences of media coverage on the disposition of criminal cases and the outcome of criminal trials. Concludes that the press' influence on trials is generally perceived as minimal and fair. (MM)

Traces the evolution of libel law involving the clergy as plaintiff and the news media as defendant. Concludes that the clergy's position in libel suits is not as favorable as it once was but that it is still more favorable than that of most other types of plaintiffs. (FL)

Concludes that most newspapers will reject letters to the editor that they consider to be libelous, but that many make efforts to rehabilitate those letters. (FL)