The five case histories presented in this paper discuss the relations of the Mobil Oil Corporation with various news media since 1973, particularly the difficulties that the oil industry has faced in communicating with and through the news media. The case histories deal with the following topics; news stories about tankers allegedly waiting offshore for oil prices to increase before discharging their cargoes; Mobil's complaint to the National News Council about the ABC television network's "biased" news program (March 1974) about the oil crisis; one particular problem Mobil had with the television networks that illustrates the barriers to free access in television; Mobil's arguments with the "New York Times" concerning adverse news writing about the oil industry; and Mobil's efforts to rebut a television news series entitled "The Great Gasoline Debate." By telling of its efforts to combat adverse news reporting about the oil industry, Mobil seeks to illustrate the guidelines and procedures it uses to hurdle communication and public relations problems. In the appendix are exhibits for each of the case histories, including newspaper articles, news releases, correspondence, and advertisements. (RL)