The Imperative of Freedom: A Philosophy of Journalistic Autonomy

Since the first version of this classic work was published in 1974, major events in which American journalism has played a decisive role have cast the reporter increasingly as the subject for public examination. The newsman has become news. Though there are more serious, responsible journalists today than at any time in America, the less serious, less responsible also have great exposure. The loss of credibility of the mass media is widely acknowledged, and is a considerable concern to serious journalists. For not only is American policy-making hampered by sensational journalism, but also weakened is the philosophical foundation of a free society; a society committed to maximize the freedom of well-informed choice for individual citizens in a period of massification. This book presents a philosophy of journalism that not only relates to a journalist's everyday activities, but also deals with a broad Weltanschauung for journalism which is built largely on the ideas coming out of the Age of Reason. Areas of philosophy are political philosophy and its relationship to journalism, epistemological concerns-primarily journalistic objectivity and truth-seeking, and journalistic ethics.

John C. Merrill is professor emeritus from the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. Dr. Merrill spent most of his academic career at Missouri, but also served as director and professor of the Manship School of Journalism at Louisiana State University and held a chair at the University of Maryland. He has also taught at a number of schools overseas, including as a visiting professor at the American University, Cairo, in 2004.