From colonial times to the present, the media in America has been subject to censorship challenges and regulations. This comprehensive reference guide to media censorship provides in-depth coverage of each media format―newspapers, magazines, motion pictures, radio, television, and the Internet―all of which have been, and continue to be, battlegrounds for First Amendment issues. Each media format is examined in-depth, from its origins and history through its modern development, and features discussion of landmark incidents and cases. Foerstel, author of Banned in the U.S.A. , the acclaimed reference guide to book censorship in schools and public libraries, offers a brief history of media censorship, examines in-depth the drama of seven landmark incidents, and includes 31 relevant court cases. Complementing the volume are personal interviews with prominent victims of media censorship, who give human voice to the struggle of the media to remain free, and an examination of censorship of the student press.

Fascinating examples of media censorship abound, from Peter Zenger's prerevolutionary trial for seditious libel to the modern tobacco industry's invocation of tortious interference to silence television news and the current rash of Internet censorship incidents. Chapter 1 offers a brief history of censorship of each of the media types. Chapter 2 features indepth analysis of seven landmark media censorship incidents: the trial of John Peter Zenger, H. L. Mencken and the hatrack case, John Henry Faulk and the radio blacklist, Progressive magazine's expos^D'e on the H-bomb secret, government labeling of three documentary films as political propaganda, television's tobacco wars, and Carnegie Mellon's attempt to censor students' access to the Internet. Chapter 3 examines 31 media censorship court cases from 1735 to 1997. Chapter 4 features exclusive interviews with media figures involved in censorship issues or cases―Paul Jarrico, Howard Morland, Peter Sussman, Daniel Schorr, Walter Cronkite, and Jerry Berman. Appendix A takes a look at censorship and response regarding the student press during the 1990s, after the landmark Hazelwood decision in 1988―an important topic for students in every high school. Appendix B contains a resource list of media advocacy and censorship organizations. A selected bibliography of books and electronic resources completes the text. This volume is of interest to high school and college students, teachers, librarians and scholars, and all those who are affected by these crucial First Amendment issues.

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Amazon.com Review

Herbert Foerstel traces the history of media censorship in the United States, from colonial times to the present day, while keeping an eye on the future. Although he covers the traditional sources of censorship--government fearing criticism and religious groups fearing those with differing value systems--his greatest concern appears to be with corporate control. He devotes his discussion to how a growing number of media outlets are owned and controlled by a diminishing number of giant corporations.

Foerstel demonstrates how, as a result of this corporate domination, a lot of censorship occurs without being noticed. He quotes studies showing that the small group of companies that are controlling media content don't wish to have that fact aired. He also makes it clear that the age-old battle for media freedom is now being fought over the Internet. While the Internet's nature is inherently wild, religious and political pressures force access providers to worry about local decency laws and other legislation. Foerstel uses real-world examples to make his point, such as Carnegie-Mellon University's efforts to block students from certain online adult material and the infamous Marty Rimm study.

Foerstel examines whether the Internet might come under growing corporate domination. Particularly captivating is chapter 4, where figures such as Paul Jarrico, renowned Hollywood screenwriter and McCarthy Era victim; Daniel Schorr; Walter Cronkite; and Electronic Freedom Foundation and Center for Democracy and Technology founder Jerry Berman share both their horror stories and their reasons for optimism. --Elizabeth Lewis

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Foerstel opens with a brief history of censorship in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. The next chapter discusses seven prominent examples of media censorship, including John Henry Faulk and the radio blacklist, the tobacco wars involving 60 Minutes, and problems with the Internet at Carnegie Mellon University. Chapter three is a chronological history of 28 media-censorship cases beginning in 1812 with United States v. Hudson and Goodwin and ending with Playboy Entertainment Group v. United States in 1997. The title closes with six editorials by prominent media spokespeople such as Daniel Schorr and Walter Cronkite. Appendixes consist of a survey of student-press censorship and a selective list of media advocacy and censorship organizations. A selected bibliography of books and Web sites completes the text. While not a standard ready-reference tool, this well-researched book will be useful.
Priscilla Bennett, State University of West Georgia
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.