This paper analyzes the attitudes of three Swedish trade unions toward the press. Local representatives of the unions answered a questionnaire about their contact with the local press, the press's impact on public opinion, fairness of press reporting, the press's fulfillment of its duties in informing the public, and future control of mass media. The discussion concludes that the trade unions consider the local press important but are dissatisfied with the way the press works, that the press reflects what is going on in the top echelons of society and among the decision-makers, and that more communication is needed between local citizens, their organizations, and the society's decision-makers. An appendix contains a list of geographic regions explored in the study, lists some characteristics of daily newspapers published in those regions, and includes the questions that were asked of local union representatives. (RL)