Freedom of the Press

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10 --In Lerner's familiar, serviceable format, Evans presents a history of the free and not-so-free press, from the development of the Gutenberg press to the Pentagon papers. Emphasis is on the role of the government in the regulation of the press throughout the history of the republic, and Evans raises some provocative questions about censorship, libel, and journalistic responsibility. The coverage is logical and systematic and gives a good overview of the subject, including a brief but interesting discussion of the student press. Well-chosen illustrations add to the informative quality of the text. It is unlikely that this will enjoy much of a readership beyond the report crowd, but it is a good addition to most collections that need research material. --Trish Ebbatson, Delaware County District Library, OH