The overall aim with this dissertation is to contribute to a deeper knowledge of three interwoven problem complexes. First, the aim is to analyse the functions of the press in society, in this context with a particular focus on the provincial press. Second, special attention is given to the significance of regional patterns of values for the potential of the newspapers to function. Third, the dissertation deals with the difficult and complex questions of the conditions for the public discourse. The primary aim is to analyse in detail what can be expressed in a particular environment at a particular time. The area investigated is the county of Kronoberg in the period 1880-1910. The empirical basis for the dissertation consists of in-depth studies of some attempts to establish newspapers in the county, along with a number of thematic studies. On the basis of previous research a number of functions of the press has been identified: information, politics, economy, education, entertainment and identity. The thematic studies of this dissertation reveals the context-bound relationship between the various functions. All the studies conducted here shows clearly that the occurrence of specific regional patterns of values was of great significance for the actions of the newspapers. All the newspapers studied recognize the existence of a shared foundation of values in the region. Some of the newspapers supported the ideals, others tried to combat them. None of them tried to deny that they existed or that they were significant. With Jürgen Habermas' model of public discourse as a starting-point and with the aid of four key terms - public sphere, accessibility, critique and discursive tone - I have systematically tried to capture the significance of the press for the conditions in which the public discourse is carried on.