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.

Disclosure of information to the investing public is a primary purpose of federal regulation of the securities industry and one of the primary duties and responsibilities of financial public relations practitioners. Disclosure requirements are numerous, with most mandating publicly held corporations to disclose information. Some requirements,…

Historians of journalism cite John Milton's speech "Areopagitica" as the first major English-language document to articulate the ideas of free speech and freedom of the press. Milton's reputation as spokesman for freedom to publish is sullied, however, by his having served as Cromwell's press licenser. Historians of journalism have…

The Lincoln-Douglas debates were significant in the history of political journalism in that new ground was broken by reporters traveling extensively with candidates, making extensive use of shorthand to record campaign speeches, and fighting for the press rights to cover the events. Also, the press coverage preserved the candidates' debates on the…