NEW SOVIET PRESS LAW

Among the most significant provisions of a historic press-freedom law passed by the Soviet Union on June 12: The right to publish is given to individuals and to unofficial (private) groups.

Censorship of the press is forbidden, although libel must be avoided.

Responsibility for divulging secret information rests with those who leak it, rather than with the mass media.

Government officials are not to hamper the legitimate professional activity of journalists.

Government officials are not to force journalists to distribute information, nor are they to force journalists to prepare material that runs counter to the journalists' convictions.

Journalists are not to be forced to sign material that has been distorted during the editorial process.

A delineation is made between publishers and editors, and the latter are to have editorial freedom.