This report discusses recent cases involving freedom of the press that have been heard before the Burger court of the United States Supreme Court. The report discerns a trend toward treating the press like an ordinary citizen; this is a reversal of the view of the Warren court that the First Amendment creates special rights for the press so that it may perform a watchdog function on the three branches of government. Also noted is a trend toward curtailing the rights and privileges of citizens in general. Among the cases reviewed are "First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti,""Zurcher v. Stanford Daily," and "Houchins v. KQED." Cases the court refused to hear and thus let stand are cited, and a partial press victory, "Landmark Communications, Inc. v. Virginia," is noted. (DF)