The Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy was established in 1976 at the University of Maryland at College Park to conduct research into the values and concepts that underlie public policy. Most research into public policy is empirical: It assesses costs, describes constituencies, and makes predictions. The Institute's research is conceptual and normative: It investigates the structure of arguments and the nature of values relevant to the formation, justification, and criticism of public policy. The results of its research are disseminated through publications, lectures, conferences, and teaching materials.

The present volume grew out of intensive discussions by the Institute's Working Group on News, the Mass Media, and Democratic Values, which met on three occasions in 1985–6 to discuss the moral, philosophical, and legal foundations of mass media regulation. All but one of the papers were written specifically for this group. Papers were subjected to criticism and comment by the whole group and were revised and rewritten for this volume.

In addition to thanking the authors of the essays in this book, who gave generously of their intelligence and energy, the editor wishes to thank Sara Engram, Jack Landau, and Anthony Smith, whose participation at the meetings added substantially to the value of the discussions and to the quality of the essays in this book.

Financial support for the Institute's project on news, the mass media, and democratic values was provided by the Markle Foundation, and it is a pleasure to acknowledge its generosity.