Synopses & Reviews
In light of recent frustrations with the press over its increasingly sensationalistic coverage of the news, no liberty is more vulnerable to the vagaries of the current political climate than is "freedom of the press." By considering public opinion data from two original surveys (1997 and 1999) on free press rights against the backdrop of modern First Amendment jurisprudence, this study offers new and original insights into the nature of popular support for these rights.
Review
'\"This book provides important and timely data on a subject vital to the public opinion and the First Amendment.\" The Law and Politics Book Review\"Using two large random surveys conducted in 1997 and 1999 with the support of the Freedom Foundation, Yalof and Dautrich explore the attitudes of the general public toward freedom of expression in general and its specific application to the press and other information media....[T]he authors do an excellent job of presenting a theoretical background and context for their findings....Most useful for graduate, research, and professional collections.\" Choice'
Synopsis
No liberty is more vulnerable to the vagaries of the current political climate than freedom of the press.
Table of Contents
1. Freedom of the press and the power of public opinion; 2. Surveying the public on press freedoms; 3. What Americans know about the freedom of the press; 4. Public support for press freedoms; 5. Support for press freedoms across media: comparing print, electronic and the 'new media"; 6. Support for press freedoms within a medium: elite, mainstream and tabloid news sources; 7. Public opinion, the first amendment and the challenges of the 21st century.