"A compilation of essays and related commentary delivered at the second annual Kent State University Symposium on Democracy, Media, Profit, and Politics recognizes and considers the fundamental differences that arise when the competitive forces of commerce clash with the demand for the open availability of information in a democratic society. The conflicting roles of advocate-initiator and objective reporter for journalists who cover community politics, the role of the news media in forming public attitudes toward things political and their role in affecting voter nonparticipation, the role of financial considerations in the news media's attempt to provide citizens with needed news and perspective on political affairs, and particularly the role of the conglomeration of ownership of news-media organizations are a few of the major topics discussed in this timely volume."--Jacket.