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.

Slavko Splichal is professor of mass communications and public opinion at the University of Ljubljana and director of the European Institute for Communication and Culture.