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)

Examines the media's response to Utah Congressional Representative Allan T. Howe's arrest for the misdemeanor charge of soliciting. (KS)

Notes that, when in 1956-58, the government of Taiwan relaxed its press controls, it experienced results similar to those on mainland China. (FL)

Finds that the journalist and the public frequently differ on issues regarded as important to the well-being of the press and society. (RB)

Surveys measures of press behavior; reports on the testing of J. Galtung and M. Ruge's theory about the structure of news. Concludes that there are three major dimensions to press response to events: the decision to record the event, and considerations regarding space allocation and reader attention. (GT)

Reports on a study of the agenda-setting function of the media in a rural central Illinois city, during an off-election year. (GW)

Compares the way in which various news media covered a specific political event and examines the correlation between the agenda of issues stressed by the media and the agenda of issues recalled by the public. (GW)

Presents a brief overview of both the common law and constitutional privileges protecting the expression of opinion. Notes that, although the case of "Ollman v. Evans" provides a four-factor test to make the fact-opinion distinction, ambiguity is still evident in many cases. (MM)

Reviews the record of the 98th Congress (1983-1984) relating to freedom of information concerns by focusing on legislation proposed during its two sessions. Indicates that, although some significant exemptions from the Freedom of Information Act were considered, generally the proposed legislation supported openness and availability of information.…

Concludes that the press may not be successful in telling people what to think, but it is successful in telling its readers what to think about. (RB)

Discusses a 1973 decision by the Tokyo High Court, finding that a reporter acted illegally in obtaining secret government documents, and reports on a survey of attitudes toward the "right to know" held by Japanese newsmen and government officials. (GW)

Compares U.S., Latin American, and Caribbean editors, examining their evaluations of world press problems to understand their underlying news values and perceptions of the role of the press in society. Finds that U.S. and Latin American editors see press freedom as an important world problem but differ on developmental journalism. (MM)

Reveals that identification as a liberal publication was a significant factor in media treatment of Jackson's candidacy in only one of nine comparisons, while identification as a conservative publication was a factor in only three of nine. The most important independent factor was the identification of the publication as a newspaper. (FL)