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The average reviewer for a journalism and mass communication scholarly journal sees four to six manuscripts per year, is male, white, 46 years old, holds a doctorate and senior rank, and is widely published. This survey of 215 reviewers of 11 JMC journals (including Journalism Quarterly, Journalism Monographs, and the Journal of Communication) finds that about one-third of the polled reviewers feel they help set the agenda of the field, although more gave that power to journal editors. About seven of ten review for more than one journal, suggesting that the criteria used in evaluating manuscripts—for example, clear conceptualization and strong evidence—are widely spread across the journals of our field.

Bibliographers: Abraham Z. Bass, Northern Illinois; Clifford G. Christians, Illinois; Robert E. Drechsel, Colorado State; Kenneth Edwards, Alabama; Warren T. Francke, Nebraska-Omaha; Susan J. Henry, Cal State-Northridge; Herbert Howard, Tennessee; John A. Lent, Temple; Jerry R. Lynn, Tennessee; Mark P. McElreath, Maryland; Ronald E. Ostman, Cornell; Tom Pasqua, San Diego; Zoe Smith-Nesterenko, Tulsa.

Journalism ethics were debated sharply in relationship to several widely varying incidents which erupted at various points in the nation during April, May and June. General Motors Corporation withdrew advertising from the Wall Street Journal in apparent retribution for an article which revealed coming automobile styling on GM automobiles. This method of retaliation for an alleged breach of confidence was attacked by many editors. This incident followed alleged pressure by big automobile companies to induce newspapers to turn-down classified advertisements for new cars from all but company-authorized dealers. In New England, a score of news men were revealed to have accepted extra pay from race track corporations and from state governmental units. While at least two wire service employees were separated from their news jobs as a result, some newspapers defended the right of their employees to such outside remuneration. A New York appeals court reversed a lower court decision in the Jelke case because newspapermen were kept from the courtroom during a portion of the trial. A sensational libel suit brought by writer Quentin Reynolds against columnist Westbrook Pegler was notable because most newspapers ignored or played-down this seeming newspaper “natural.” In simple communication activity, the second quarter will be remembered for the McCarthy-Army hearings in Washington. Issues arising from this hearing may arise for years but the immediate effect in periodical articles was not especially noteworthy.

Professor Rogers, chairman of the AASDJ Council on Education for Journalism, here analyzes and interprets the most comprehensive compilation of data yet assembled on facilities and programs of the Associations member institutions.

This department is a forum for AEJ members, who are invited to submit succinct articles dealing with educational trends, fields of study, laboratory techniques and student problems in journalism and mass communications.

Major controversy involving newspapers and radio was not noteworthy during the third quarter of 1954. Result of the Reynolds-Pegler libel action, which began in the previous quarter, was a record award to Reynolds against Pegler and companies associated with him. General Motors Corporation again placed advertising in the Wall Street Journal after withdrawing ads because of a news story run in the newspaper columns. This incident also began in the previous three months period. In the field of labor relations, the Newspaper Guild debated and reaffirmed its stand in the Polumbaum case which involved the United Press. Issue in this case was the dismissal rights of the company for alleged involvement in subversion vs. employment rights defended by union contracts.

As a sequel to the UNESCO proposal for an International Press Institute, reported in the Quarterly for March 1948, two private institutes now have come into being. These and other developments are discussed in this report and the report of the Committee on Foreign Schools and Students, which follows.

The Accrediting Committee of the American Council on Education for Journalism has received 66 applications, made 50 visitations and accredited 40 schools. Dr. Luxon, who gave this report to AEJ, is assistant to the president at Ohio State University. He has been chairman of the committee since its inception.

New mechanical devices for newspaper production continued to be top news during 1948, although the Florida publisher using the famed “cold type” process issued a sober warning against over-optimism. The union struggle against the Taft-Hartley law which motivated the primary interest in printerless production continued as well. The ban of the magazine the Nation from New York City public school lists became the hot-weather cause célébre of early autumn. In the field of radio, television was at last recognized as a practical competitive factor in communications and advertising. —W. F. S.

V-J Day signaled the start of the postwar journalistic era, with almost immediate announcements of plans for expanded newspaper and radio facilities and activities, changeover of advertising themes, new editorial interest in local news, and a re-valuation of foreign news. The general labor unrest of reconversion was reflected in strikes throughout the newspaper industry, several newspapers in half a dozen cities ceasing publication altogether at the height of the disputes. The AP case became virtually a closed issue with the denial of a rehearing by the Supreme Court, and AP officials made ready to revise their by-laws in compliance with the original judgment against them. Meantime, the question of worldwide press freedom passed from the stage of academic discussion into the field of practical politics as countries everywhere began adjusting themselves to the tasks of peace.—W. F. S.

A study of 16 daily newspaper telegraph editors in Wisconsin reveals that the average desk-man is “caught in a strait jacket of mechanical details,” with the press association playing the major role as a selector of news. The author is assistant professor of journalism at the University of California.

This report for the Council on Communications Research lists, with annotations, 35 doctoral dissertations completed during 1963; 34 titles approved for doctoral candidates, and 228 completed master's theses.

This article is based on a study made by a graduate student in the College of Journalism, Marquette’ University. Father Cinikas is a member of the editorial staff of Draugas, Lithuanian daily newspaper in Chicago.