How the Earlier Media Achieved Critical Mass: Printing Press;Yelling 'Stop the Presses!' Didn't Happen Overnight
Date: 20 November 1995
By D. J. R. Bruckner
Though the Chinese invented printing, in the West the printing press dates to around 1450. But it took two inventions of the Industrial Revolution -- the steam engine and the telegraph -- to turn it into what we would now define as a mass medium: one that can reach all segments of a population quickly and at a relatively low cost. All these elements did not come together until about 100 years ago. Until the 19th century, books were printed on hand-operated presses. So were newspapers. All those famous early journalists -- Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Johnson, Benjamin Franklin -- saw their work coming off flat presses, slowly.
Full Article
How the Earlier Media Achieved Critical Mass: World Wide Web;If Medium Is the Message, the Message Is the Web
Date: 20 November 1995
By John Markoff
John Markoff
The Associated Press was formed in the mid-19th century when a group of newspapers decided to invest jointly in a newfangled medium -- the telegraph -- to speed the collection and dissemination of information. Last week, A.P. announced that it would adopt a newer-fangled medium -- the World Wide Web -- to begin distributing its articles and photographs over the global Internet. It was simply the latest, but perhaps most historically significant, move yet by an old-line media organization into the World Wide Web, the Internet multimedia information-retrieval system that appears on the verge of becoming a mass medium itself.
Full Article
The Appeal of Powell
Date: 20 November 1995
To the Editor: Re "Powell and the Press" (Op-Ed, Nov. 16): Dan Quayle, not for the first time, has missed the point. Many members of the press and public were hoping for Gen. Colin Powell's candidacy because they thought he would be a good President.
Full Article
News Reports Of Informer On Far Right Jolt Israel
Date: 20 November 1995
By Serge Schmemann
Serge Schmemann
Reports that the leader of the far-right group to which Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's assassin belonged was an informer for the Israeli secret service set off fresh shock waves today, including demands from rightists for a full accounting of what exactly the supposed agent did. There was no comment from the Cabinet or the General Security Service, the domestic secret service better known as the Shin Bet.
Full Article
WORLD NEWS BRIEFS;Sri Lankan Troops Close In on Rebel Base
Date: 20 November 1995
Reuters
Sri Lankan troops moved in on the rebel stronghold of Jaffna today, marching to within 800 yards of the northern city's center. The ethnic Tamil guerrillas struck back in eastern Sri Lanka, killing 38 Government soldiers in an ambush as the troops patrolled a railway track at Shanthiveli. Reports said that as many as 160 rebels and Government soldiers were killed in the fighting in both locations today.
Full Article
WORLD NEWS BRIEFS;Left and Right in Spain Recall Franco's Death
Date: 20 November 1995
AP
About 6,000 admirers of Spain's former dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco, today marked the 20th anniversary of his death at Madrid's only monument to him. Elsewhere in Madrid, 3,000 people marched to protest the "intolerance and racism" they say characterized Franco's 36-year regime.
Full Article
WORLD NEWS BRIEFS;Algeria Election Results Seen as Blow to Militants
Date: 19 November 1995
Reuters
The victory of President Liamine Zeroual, Algeria's military-backed leader, in presidential election on Thursday was a severe blow to Muslim militants, who had threatened violence against those who voted, Algerian newspapers said today. According to the Government, Mr. Zeroual won with more than 61 percent of nearly 12 million votes cast. Official figures put voter turnout at 74.92 percent. The opposition said it was between 30 and 33 percent.
Full Article
WORLD NEWS BRIEFS;Russia Fails to Meet Arms Reduction Quotas
Date: 19 November 1995
AP
Russia failed to meet its commitments to reduce its military presence in two regions by a treaty deadline Friday night, and Western nations were working with Russia to seek a compromise, diplomats said today. Russia did not meet conditions called for in a NATO-Warsaw Pact treaty to reduce troops and weapons in the Caucasus and around St. Petersburg, but met other terms.
Full Article