About the Silha Center

The Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law was established in 1984 with an endowment from Otto and Helen Silha. Located within the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota, the Silha Center is the vanguard of the School's interest in the ethical responsibilities and legal rights of the mass media in a democratic society. The Center focuses on the concepts and values that define the highest ideals of American journalism: freedom and fairness. It honors the importance of these ideals by examining their theoretical and practical applications and by recognizing the interdependence of ethical and legal principles.

Several major projects worthy of sustained, programmatic effort on the part of faculty and students have been identified. These include:

* Media Accountability
* Points of convergence of media ethics and law
* Libel and privacy

A variety of associated programs are organized and promoted by the Center, including a lecture series, symposiums, forums, workshops, monographs, bibliographies, and syllabi. Support is provided for faculty research, and for Silha Fellows working on advanced degrees. The Center also serves as a resource for journalists, scholars, and other community members with questions about ethical and legal issues involving the media.