Asserts that the varied publications of the Filipino-American press can provide valuable information on this cultural minority as well as on current affairs in the Phillipines. (KS)

Study of matched groups of chain and independent papers on the West Coast shows that chain papers have fewer argumentative editorials in controversial contexts on local topics. (KS)

Indicates that the correlation between circulation and price change for all daily newspapers published during this period was slightly negative, indicating a small decrease in circulation with a much greater increase in price. (KS)

Investigates readability of different line lengths in advertising body copy, hypothesizing a normal curve with lower scores for shorter and longer lines, and scores above the mean for lines in the middle of the distribution. Finds support for lower scores for short lines and some evidence of two optimum line lengths rather than one. (SKC)

Responds to Jeffery Bineham's article, "A Historical Account of the Hypodermic Model in Mass Communication" (same issue). Argues that the history of the hypodermic model (viewing media's all-powerful and direct influence on society) is distinct from the history and literature of empirical research on mass media effects. (MM)

Examines some of the theoretical implications for public relations campaign planning. Finds evidence that audience complexity affects the outcome of a campaign and suggests it should be one of the factors taken into consideration when laying out initial strategy. (MS)

Explores three legal implications of news councils: (1) the effect of the councils on the frequency of libel suits, (2) the validity of the waiver complainants must sign, and (3) the potential impact of news council decisions in determining standards of press performance. (FL)

Compares the content of the new genres of newsletters--the in-house letter focusing on writing quality--with what writing coaches have said are the major writing problems. Indicates that the newsletters may need refocusing and that, while coaches said news writers' chief problems are conceptual writing improvements, newsletters focus on mechanics…

Reports that a majority of editors surveyed oppose the use of hidden recording devices of any kind. (FL)

Draws from more than 75 novels and short stories published during the period to examine the basic motifs of newspaper fiction. (FL)

Concludes that in Michigan, reporters focused on covering the governor and that state representatives received more coverage than did senators. (FL)

Examines the reliability of the preseason rankings of NCAA Division I-A football and basketball teams prepared by the two wire services as predictors of performance. Concludes that the polls seldom correlate with end-of-season results. (FL)

When affective and cognitive scores were used as measures, the attractiveness level of the endorser of a product in an advertisement appeared to have a significant effect on the scores with the high attractiveness level producing the most favorable evaluations. When cognitive scores were used, however, the attractiveness level had no significant…

Concludes that the notion that the media provides a newly elected president with a "period of grace" is oversimplified. (FL)

Examines the news values professional photographers bring to their assignments. Concludes that timeliness is the most important news element of award-winning photographs. Reports also that the vast majority of award-winning pictures were of accidents, disasters, crimes, or violence. (FL)