The Publisher-Public Official: Real or Imagined Conflict of Interest?

by Daniel Riffe, Don Sneed

Overview

Social responsibility theory calls on the American press to serve as watchdog over powerful government and to provide a forum for robust democratic debate. Based on five current case studies, The Publisher-Public Official explores the extent to which politicians who simultaneously serve as newspaper editors or publishers fulfill this ethical duty. The book features interviews with the editors/publishers and with a sample of their readers, and provides results of a survey of readers who were asked whether it is possible to wear two hats and do both jobs effectively and responsibly. Newspaper articles and editorial pages are also examined for possible conflicts of interest in occupying two roles.

Veteran newspapermen Don Sneed and Daniel Riffe present an overview and history of the press's role as watchdog, outlining what professional ethical codes say about publishers' political involvement and offering perspective by today's newspaper group executives. Chapters 4 through 8 provide a composite portrait of the five publisher-public officials as seen through their own eyes and their readers' eyes. A final chapter details how extensive the phenomenon of publisher-public official is and offers concluding thoughts to the study. This illuminating work will be particularly useful to jourbanalism professionals and educators, politicians, and political scientists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275940874
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/11/1991
Pages:	159
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

DON SNEED is Professor of Jourbanalism and chairman of the Department of Jourbanalism at the University of Mississippi. He holds a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University and has taught at Texas A&M University. He is a former editor at three daily newspapers in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

DANIEL RIFFE is a Jourbanalism Professor at the University of Alabama. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee and has taught at Southern Illinois University. He has extensive experience as a professional public relations writer.

Table of Contents

Preface
Putting the Watchdog on a Leash
Multiple Roles, Multiple Policies
The Social Responsibility Index
Cullman Tribune
Golconda Herald-Enterprise
Clinton Eye
Benton County Enterprise
The Cash-Book Jourbanal
Two Schools of Thought
Appendix: Roster of Publisher-Public Officials
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Social responsibility theory calls on the American press to serve as "watchdog" over powerful government and to provide a forum for robust democratic debate. Based on five current case studies, this volume explores the extent to which politicians who simultaneously serve as newspaper editors or publishers fulfill this ethical duty. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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