This group of (mostly) academics urged U.S. journalists half a century ago to take on more responsibility to society ... and suggested that if they did not, they risked losing some of their freedoms.

The commission's five requirements for a free and responsible press:

The media should provide a truthful, comprehensive and intelligent account of the day's events in a context which gives them meaning.

The media should serve as a forum for the exchange of comment and criticism.

The media should project a representative picture of the constituent groups in the society.

The media should present and clarify the goals and values of the society.

The media should provide full access to the day's intelligence.