A number of constitutional and economic problems are involved in the process of insuring a free press. The enforcement of antitrust laws by the Justice Department can, but does not, provide adequate safeguards for the public. Beginning with the 1945 Supreme Court decision, "Associated Press v. United States," many court decisions have been made concerning competitive principles, antitrust, and newspapers. Some of the issues involved include diversity of news and opinions; newspapers acting as local monopolies; the growth of newspaper chains and the resulting demise of independently owned newspapers; the financial difficulties of purchasing, establishing, and operating a competing newspaper; joint operation of competing newspapers; the fairness doctrine; the powers of the licensing agency for the broadcast industry; and divestiture when a newspaper owns a radio or television station in the same city. Any answer to the question of how to insure the existence of a free press must include a program that encourages new capital investment in the newspaper industry to stimulate competition, thereby forcing newspapers to give greater attention to opposing views and matters of public interest. (TJ)