In the past 65 years, the United States Supreme Court has outlined, through its decisions, its conceptions of the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. media. Analyzing every Supreme Court media case from 1931 to 1996, this book explores the changes in how the Court has conceived of the media's freedom. Hindman focuses on the educational and political functions of the media, the ethical principles of truth telling, and the conflict between collectivist and individualist interpretations of the First Amendment. The author challenges accepted views in the field, arguing that despite the justices' rhetoric, the Court has treated media freedom as a social goal rather than a right.
Author(s): Elizabeth Blanks Hindman
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 200
Contents......Page 8
Acknowledgments......Page 10
Introduction Rights and Responsibilities, Politics and Philosophies......Page 12
One Functions and Canons: Defining Media Responsibility......Page 36
Two The Early Years, 1931–1953......Page 68
Three The Warren Court Years, 1953–1969......Page 92
Four The Centrist Years, 1969–1981......Page 112
Five The Move to Conservatism, 1981–1996......Page 132
Six Positivism and Policy......Page 160
Appendix Chronological List of Media Cases......Page 170
Bibliography......Page 186
B......Page 192
C......Page 193
F......Page 194
H......Page 195
M......Page 196
P......Page 197
S......Page 198
W......Page 199
