Suchergebnisse

A study of contemporary information in terms of how news is transformed by the psycho-sociol'al factors of the contemporary world & how society is transformed by the transmission of information. It is stated that information suffers from congenital, growth & aging maladies which are related to its generation, circulation, assimilation & utilization. Technical progress has given information an instantaneousness, a universality, & a transient quality which are seen as its principle characteristics. Examples are given of the effects of the news from recent events, & it is shown how conscientious journalists can see the same news diff'ly. Gov'al censorship is discussed & the fact that a press is never completely free of pressures & influences is noted. The nature of the need for information is seen as 2-part: direct psychol'al need & indirect utilitarian need. 4 points are stressed in support of the notion that the imperfection of the transmission of news will not be fatal to humanity: (1) the accessibility of information; (2) partial compensation by diff authors, (3) the fact that the large bulk of information is intended to satisfy curiosity rather than to play a utilitarian role; & (4) the little importance generally attached to isolated information. The values attached to receiving information are considered. Finally, possible alterations in democratic regimes are related to the uncontrolled flow of information. Modified AA.