A study was conducted to determine whether newspaper coverage of black Americans diminished after the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and whether new images of blacks have begun to emerge in the media. Items concerning black Americans in 66 issues each of the "New York Times,""Boston Globe,""Chicago Tribune," and "Atlanta Constitution" were coded. The issues were taken from time periods before, during, and after the Civil Rights Movement. Coverage was coded into categories for stereotypes, everyday life, civil rights, and minority life. Sixteen subcategories were also identified. Results indicated that stereotypical portrayals of blacks as criminals and entertainment or sports figures comprised a substantial portion of the four newspapers' coverage of blacks in the 1950s. The percentages dropped considerably during the 1960s, but rose again during the 1970s. A new image of blacks as politicians began appearing in coverage during the 1970s. Findings also determined that these newspapers are moving toward a more equitable portrayal of blacks in the news but that elements of stereotypes still linger. (Tables of data and 17 references are included.) (AEW)