This research tests the effects of press professionalism, administration pr
ess management, and public patriotism on coverage of the 1986 U.S.-Libya cr
isis by the Associated Press, Washington Post, New York Times, nad Los Ange
les Times. Patterns of "tactical" (small-scale, efficiency-oriented) and "s
trategic" ( overarching, ethical) critique during periods of low-, medium-,
and high-intensity conflict are reviewed. Tactical opposition to both the
Reagan administration and the Qaddafi regime slightly outweighs support, wh
ile strategic critique of 65 percent pro- Reagan administration but only 14
percent pro-Qaddafi regime. Support foe the U.S. administration declines d
uring intense conflict. The pattern of findings supports administration pre
ss management.