This insightful book examines freedom of the press, the social functions of the press, and how the original concept of publicity—as the 'public use of reason,' or citizens' freedom to express and publish opinions—has been reduced to mean the right of media to access and print information. This, the author argues, unfairly gives media more freedom than individuals have and reduces the accountability and service of the press to the public. Splichal's thoughtful work includes discussions of the media-relevant theories and works of Jeremy Bentham, Immanuel Kant, Karl Marx, and John Stuart Mill, among many others.

"This demanding, well-supported, and carefully documented argument requires very attentive reading. Recommended." - Choice Reviews

"Raises some interesting issues regarding the conceptualization of freedom of the press." - Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

"Splichal offers an insightful and richly illustrated historical account of modern-day understandings of press freedom and responsibility by tracing the liberal democratic ideal of news media as 'public watchdogs' and Habermas' ideal of news media as 'public forums' back to Jeremy Bentham's and Immanuel Kant's radically different conceptions of publicity." - Journal of Communication