1. Four Theories of the Press Siebert, Peterson and Schramm
Frederick S Siebert, Theodore Peterson and Wilbur Schramm, Four Theories of the Press. Urbana, University of Ilinois Press, (Originally published in 1956

2. The Theories Authoritarian Libertarian Social Responsibility
Soviet Communist

3. Authoritarian Developed in the 16th and 17th centuries
Absolute power of the monarchy (truth)
Press supports monarchy
Press must be licensed
Can’t criticize monarchy

4. Libertarian
Began during the Enlightenment (Milton, Locke, Mills): Rationalism and Natural Rights Time of the Founding Fathers
Press informs, entertains and sells
Press helps discover the truth – the free marketplace of ideas Anyone can publish
Can’t defame or be obscene
Checks government

5. Soviet Communism From Marx, Lenin and Stalin
Press contributes to success of the state
Only legal party members can publish
Government has “influence” over the press
Can’t criticize party

6. Social Responsibility
How our press is suppose to operate
Don’t have a free marketplace, so press must be responsible or forced to be
Everyone should have access to press (letters, opinions)
Controlled by community opinion, ethics
Can’t violate people’s rights
Press can be free and be combrehensive and objective

7. Hutchins Commission ’47 Power of chains Lack of social responsibility
Need for truthful, comprehensive, intelligent account of day’s events
Need to be a forum for comment, criticism
Need to be representative (minorities)
Need to challenge society’s goals and values

8. Goals of Social Responsibility
Journalism school needed to train reporters
Journalists need to be free from obligations and influence
Opinion pages
Local control of content (especially with chains)
Ombudsmen to be readers’ advocates