The press and Main Street : El País--journalism in democratic Spain /

This highly enjoyable collection of ten short essays provides a thoughtful discussion of a range of important issues for anyone concerned about the press in general and press freedom in particular. Cebrian is critical of the Spanish press, and he details its failures; but he notes that it is committed to producing ideas and disseminating news rather than becoming "machines for printing money" as in the US. Cebrian also observes that "one of the most suspect myths of the U.S. press is its quest for objectivity." Because these essays were originally published in 1980, many references are dated as well as being specific to Spain. The extremely helpful annotations by translator Brian Niehaus serve US readers well. An index, though probably of little use to most readers, is also provided. Appropriate for academic libraries (all levels) and public libraries. -P. E. Kane, SUNY College at Brockport