The Atlantic Bookshelf: A Guide to New Books About Business

FOR years, before his untimely death in the Northland, America’s best-loved humorist was accustomed to preface or conclude his remarks with ’All I know is what I read in the newspapers.’ Public attention has often been directed toward the press of countries under dictatorships, where citizens indeed have little conception of what is going on except ’what they read in the newspapers. Censorship, distortion of news, attempts to mislead the public — these accusations have a familiar ring, when applied to a regimented foreign press. Not so familiar is their application to the domestic scene, particularly to the industry which has most zealously upheld freedom of expression. Reviewed below is a book which turns the spotlight of inquiry upon the American press.