Social Foundations of the Mass Media is a historical examination of the intellectual debate over the extent of permissible freedom that should be allowed for the expression and discussion of conflicting ideas. The treatment begins with the ancient Egyptian concepts, extends through Middle Eastern writings, treats the Inquisition and concludes with modern concepts in the United States. Both the church and the state have long desired to repress dissident opinion fearing that their authority would be undermined. They have used persecution, laws, the courts and public opinion to try to impose...