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The entertainments provided by the mass media are like the epic, the ancient theater, or the novel in that all present fiction which is received as truth. The new are more persuasive than the old because of the technological changes in the means of production and dissemination, because the line be tween the real and the fictional is blurred, and because, for eco nomic reasons, the formation of habit, as well as a dulling of the critical faculties, has become desirable, especially in com mercial broadcasting. The patron of the entertainment likes what he gets, without question, and certain of his wants are satisfied. There is, however, little effort to enlarge the range of satisfactions, and so much is given that such wants as are more difficult to satisfy and such satisfaction as can stir intelli gence or criticism are generally neglected. By inducing in ertia, the mass entertainments may contribute to the specific abuses of which they are often accused, such as incitement to violence or indifference to a strict sexual code. But it is their failure to serve the independence of mind of their followers, to stir the critical faculties, that is more serious.

The entertainments provided by the MM are like the epic, the ancient theater, or the novel in that all present fiction which is received as truth. The new are more persuasive than the old because of the technological changes in the means of production & dissemination, because the line between the real & the fictional is blurred, & because, for econ reasons, the formation of habit, as well as a dulling of the critical faculties, has become desirable, esp in commercial broadcasting. The patron of the entertainment likes what he gets, without questions, & certain of his wants are satisfied. There is, however, little effort to enlarge the range of satisfactions; & so much is given that such wants as are more difficult to satisfy & such satisfaction as can stir intelligence or criticism are generally neglected. By inducing inertia, the mass entertainments may contribute to the specific abuses of which they are often accused, such as incitement to violence or indiff to a strict sexual code. But it is their failure to serve the independence of mind of their followers, to stir the critical faculties, that is more serious. HA.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), commercial broadcasters, educ'al stations, the educ'al system & the communications arts are all essential in broadcasting, but the rights & duties of the public should be foremost. Today, broadcasting serves only a minority of the active & none of the latent interests of the people & this situation will continue until 'a substantial portion of the public join the broadcasters & the FCC in defining public interest.' The public has given broadcasters a portion of the public domain asking them to protect & cultivate public interest while engaging in open market competition. The code of ethics evolved in daily competition without explicit public guidance is generally satisfactory though it has sometimes degenerated to the view that anything which interests a good portion of the public is salutory. The responsibility of broadcasters for creating & conditioning their audiences is the basis for recognition of the unwritten contract between broadcasters & audiences to exchange specific information, entertainment, etc, for time & attention. The public thus must participate in deciding broadcasting policy in order to assure its contractual rights & to establish the necessity for them. For the audience to participate a soc invention is required which should include (1) mandatory hearings on the renewal of broadcast licenses, & (2) invitation by a broadcaster to representative members of his audiences to discuss the services rendered. The latter would permit the audience participation in setting standards of program quality. The FCC should require higher standards of intelligence & public service from the licensee, compare promises to actual services rendered at the time of renewal, & increase its attempts to inform the public of its activities & its accessibility. By drawing the public more effectively into the area of broadcasting, the development & regulation of service in the public interest can be more readily assured. C. M. Coughenour.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- Preface to the Second Edition -- Introduction to the Transaction Edition -- Acknowledgments -- 1 Introduction: The Problem of Punishment -- 2 When Punishment Began -- 3 The Sacred Forms of Punishment -- 4 Punishment and Obedience: Punishing Women, Children, Slaves, and Soldiers -- 5 The Terror of Punishment -- 6 Punishing Criminals -- 7 Death and Delirium: Punishment Rears Its Ugly Head -- 8 That Wonderful Utilitarian Punishment Scheme -- 9 The Reformation -- 10 The Principles of Punishment -- 11 The Science of Punishment -- 12 The Punishers and the Punished -- 13 Conclusions: The Justice (and Grace) of Punishment -- Footnotes -- Index