Rights vs. Responsibilities: The Supreme Court and the Media

by Elizabeth B. Hindman

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313299223
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/28/1997
Series:	Contributions to the Study of Mass Media and Communications , #50
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1520L (what's this?)

About the Author

ELIZABETH BLANKS HINDMAN is Assistant Professor of Communication at North Dakota State University.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Rights and Responsibilities, Politics and Philosophies
Functions and Canons: Defining Media Responsibility
The Early Years—1931-1953
The Warren Court Years—1953-1969
The Centrist Years—1969-1981
The move to Conservatism—1981-1996
Positivism and Policy
Appendix: Chronological Case List
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Examines the Supreme Court's conceptions of media responsibility as demonstrated through Court opinions from 1931 through the 1995-96 term, and details specific media cases within the context of media theory and legal philosophy. Includes a chronological list of cases. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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