An update on academic freedom cases and complaints made to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is presented. AAUP responded to 1,222 academic freedom cases in 1986, an increase of 20% in the number of cases handled in the 2 preceding years. Two institutions were added to AAUP's list of censured administrations: Clark College…

Through a case study of Minnesota daily newspaper editorials, this paper examines the extent to which one state's newspapers championed the freedoms of speech and press during the national crisis of World War I. The historical relationship of the press and First Amendment defense is briefly reviewed. Guided by the question "How did the…

With the latest appointment to the United States Supreme Court, five of the nine justices have indicated a willingness to consider some form of camera coverage in federal courts. The landmark cases, Estes versus Texas (1965) and Chandler versus Florida (1980), called for more data prior to reconsideration of the issue. An in-depth examination of…

Written to give public library trustees in the state of Maine an overall picture of their duties and responsibilities, this handbook covers: (1) the mission, role, and organization of the board of trustees; (2) trustee orientation; (3) meeting procedure; (4) continuing education for trustees; (5) public relations; (6) finance and budgeting; (7)…

In 1983 the Federal Communications Commission began allowing television and radio stations to stage their own political debates between candidates of their own choosing, but few broadcasters have been taking full advantage of the rule. Section 315 of The Communications Act requires that if a station grants use of the broadcasting station to a…

The Supreme Court decision in the case of the Board of Education, Island Trees, New York, versus Steven A. Pico, addressed whether the First Amendment imposes limitations upon the exercise by a local school board of its discretion to remove library books from high school and junior high school libraries. Rejecting the recommendations of a…

In 19th century Europe, the dominant classes detested the idea of a free press, seeing it as a middle and lower class weapon. Although repression of the press in Europe existed long before the 19th century, at this time techniques of press repression fell into two major categories: (1) direct--licensing, prior censorship, and post-publication…

Since 1974, when the Supreme Court concluded in "Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc." that public figures and private figures deserve different treatment under libel law (with private figures needing a lower standard of proof), most lower courts have had to sort out the two categories. From the results in "Gertz" and other cases, three…

A collection of 12 articles, this yearbook focuses on freedom of speech and censorship. The topics covered include (1) common law tort and contract erosion of the at will rule, (2) the Supreme Court and the First Amendment in 1983-1984, (3) a phenomenological analysis of the First Amendment and the issue of obscenity, (4) John Milton's attack on…

The pressures of changing enrollment patterns, the universal pressure for equality in education, and new types of students are cited as current problems faced by higher education. Questions of academic freedom, faculty role, university output and the general environment are discussed and suggestions for meeting these challenges set forth. (MW)

Defends the reporting of controversial topics in school publications on the basis that suggestions for the responsible solution of problems are necessary in a democracy. (RB)

Examines the freedom of the press precedent set by the John Peter Zenger case in 1743 and considers its application to such current events as the jailing of reporters for not disclosing news sources. (RB)

Two 1973 Supreme Court rulings, "Miller v. California" and "Paris Adult Theatre I v. Slaton," consider the problem of obscenity in light of the First Amendment. Chief Justice Burger's stand, which represented that of a five-man majority, was based on the presumption that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment because…

Condensed from "Today's Education, Volume 57 (November 1968), 63.