This book presents a history of journalism in the United States. The opening chapters discuss the European roots of American journalism and cover the time-span ending with the Civil War; the primary concern is an exposition of the principles of the American press. The remaining chapters examine the mass media--newspapers, television, radio, magazines, press association--and their role in a complex society. This third edition of the book includes extensive revisions, particularly in enlarging coverage of the broadcast media. The concluding chapters analyze the controversial role of television during the 1960s and the credibility crisis arising from the conflict between government and the press. Some of the topics discussed are the Vietnam War, the Kerner and Walker reports, the Pentagon Papers, the black press, advocacy journalism, and the underground press. Annotated bibliographies are provided for each of the 31 chapters, and numerous illustrations and an index are included. (DI)