As chief architect of one of the world's largest, most influential news enterprises, TIME's co-founder and editor Henry R. Luce (1898-1967) was profoundly aware of the astonishing growth and power of the U.S. press in the 20th century. In 1947 he said, "Today nearly every American's mind--and soul--is directly and daily affected by the press." Luce believed that journalism had a dual purpose: "A service first ... of news and comment on public affairs. And second, a service of culture, a service of food for the imagination and the feelings and sensitivities of millions of people."

From its founding, TIME has treated the press itself as newsworthy. The Press section appeared in the magazine's first issue, in 1923, with a story on the now defunct New York World. To date, TIME has run 56 cover stories on the press, profiling a varied range of figures, including Walter Lippmann (1931,1937), William R. Hearst Sr. (1927,1933,1939), Drew Pearson (1948), Ernie Pyle (1944), William F. Buckley Jr. (1967), Arthur Sulzberger (1977) and Dan Rather (1980).

In this week's cover story, TIME assesses the reasons behind a relatively new phenomenon, the increasingly low regard that Americans have for their press. Some of this antipress feeling is justified, some understandable, some the result of a troublesome misunderstanding of the role and motives of the institution of journalism. Once again, the press itself is news.

Associate Editor William A. Henry III, who won a 1980 Pulitzer Prize at the Boston Globe, wrote the cover story. Says he: "Most U.S. journalism is good-thorough, instructive, even at times courageous. But when a news organization gets arrogant or careless for just a few moments, the consequences for the individuals it covers can be catastrophic, and the damage to the craft considerable."

TIME, of course, is no less fallible than its peers. It is keenly aware that the standards and precepts that are applied to other elements of the press are equally applicable to this magazine. TIME is rightfully subject to the same public judgments on its accuracy, fairness and responsibility as any other journalistic enterprise. Sums up Associate Editor Walter Isaacson, who edited this week's cover: "The story is a strong reminder of how sensitive all journalists must be to the concerns and complaints of their audience." This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.