Press Versus Government

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8 An interesting study of landmark cases of the United States Supreme Court as they relate to the press. Each of the nine cases that are examined illustrate the press' fight for ``freedom of the press'' and ``journalistic priveledge'' and the Supreme Court's role in controlling the balance between the press and the government. The cases presented are well chosen and include Watergate, ``The H-Bomb Secret,'' and The New York Times Company vs. Sullivan. Rogers makes the important point that the Supreme Court's decisions reflect the liberal or conservative leaning of the judges. The impartiality of the court exists only to the extent that the judges can separate themselves from their own political bias. The writing is clear, and the book is well organized. When appropriate, the cases are related to each other, adding to the comprehensibility of the subject matter. There is no glossary, but all of the necessary legal terminology is defined in context. Taking on the Press (Crowell, 1986) by Melvyn Bernard Zerman is similar to this volume, although it is for a slightly older audience. Press Versus Government is excellent for junior high school students who want to do research or read it from cover to cover just for pure enjoyment. Janet E. Gelfand, Lawrence Junior High School, N.Y.