Notes that despite recent United States Supreme Court decisions that have been unfavorable to the press, a First Amendment-based conditional privilege protecting the editorial process against governmental intrusion survives. (FL)

Reviews U.S. court decisions on cases in which a child or young adult was the victim of violence that was said to have been induced by the media. Suggests that the courts have generally hesitated to hold media organizations accountable for inciting the violent acts of individuals. (NKA)

Reports that the Supreme Court has dealt with related issues, but not specifically with rights of prison presses. (FL)

Despite longstanding interest in cable television regulation, little has been investigated concerning crossownership of cable with other media properties. A study examined the issue from economic (antitrust) and First Amendment (diversity of sources) perspectives. Data on where the cable companies' franchises were located and in what other media…

Increased litigation and rising litigation costs threaten the future of newspapers and magazines. A case study was conducted to determine the costs and effects of "United States v. 'The Progressive,'" a prior restraint case over the publication in 1979 of an article on the hydrogen bomb. "The Progressive," which operates at a…

Analyzes Judge Potter Stewart's voting record on First Amendment cases and concludes that he is one of the strongest supporters of the First Amendment on the Supreme Court. (FL)

Because recent restrictive changes in cigarette advertising laws have unknown consequences for advertisers, this report outlines the history of the controversy over whether to allow cigarette advertisements, explores its legal status with respect to First Amendment rights for advertisers, and considers potential solutions to the conflict between…

First Amendment students were unhappy to see Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart retire because his voting record demonstrated a favorable attitude toward freedom of speech and press. His replacement, Sandra Day O'Connor, was predicted to be a conservative or moderate who probably would vote consistently with Stewart in other areas, but her…

The Media and Law section of this collection of conference presentations contains the following 12 papers: "An Analysis of the Role of Insurance, Prepublication Review and Correction Policies in Threatened and Actual Libel Suits" (Elizabeth K. Hansen and Roy L. Moore); "Private Defamation Plaintiffs and Falsity since 'Philadelphia…

This paper examines the government's authority to regulate indecent broadcasts, beginning with a historical overview of the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) involvement with broadcast indecency and its application in case law. First Amendment considerations are discussed and some suggestions are made regarding how the Commission should…

Argues that the rights of viewers to news coverage were sacrificed to commercial interests in the federal court decision concerning the ABC television network's refusal to grant a request of a television station to broadcast short clips of a local event to which the network had exclusive broadcast rights. (FL)

News media representatives foresee a growing use of remote-sensing satellites to gather data, including data that could be used to check government claims about military and other activities occurring anywhere on the planet. The satellite technology is developing rapidly, and several nations and private corporations are involved in separate…

Examines the history of alcoholic beverage advertising and the possible outcome of a constitutional challenge to laws that attempt to prohibit such ads from radio and television. (FL)

Traces the litigious history of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the First Amendment area, specifically the right of ISKCON followers to practice sankirtan in public places. (FL)

A coalition of health groups wants the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) to discontinue the use of the Joe Camel cartoon character in its cigarette advertisements. RJR has denied the findings of the three studies published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" and cited by the health groups--these studies contend that…