Facsimile Newspapers

Report Outline
Facsimile Newspapers at the Threshold
Mechanics and Economics of Facsimile
Meaning of Facsimile for the Newspaper
Freedom of the Press on the Air

Facsimile Newspapers at the Threshold

American newspaper publishers are at present dis playing keen interest in the development of facsimile newspapers—newspapers broadcast over the air and reproduced in the home. A two-week public trial of facsimile broadcasting has just been completed by the Miami Herald, and Publisher John S. Knight has announced that “continuous publication” by facsimile will be started on a limited scale in the autumn. Similar experiments may be under taken in a score of cities before the end of 1947, and others will get under way as additional equipment becomes available in 1948.

The present participation of established newspapers in projects for facsimile broadcasting stands in striking contrast to their aloofness to radio in the early days of sound broadcasting. Wide publicity was given to the first broadcasts of news events and entertainment but it was not until the end of the 1920's that the radio was recognized as a serious competitor with newspapers, both for advertising and in the dissemination of news. The subsequent establishment or acquisition of radio stations by newspaper owners has given them a place of leadership in the introduction of facsimile broadcasting.

Essentials of Facsimile Broadcasting

Any FM radio station now engaged in sound broadcasting can obtain authorization from the Federal Communications Commission at Washington to carry on experimental tests with facsimile. The F. C. C. announced, Jan, 10, 1947, that of a total of 901 applications for permission to construct FM stations received up to that time, 298 (33.1 per cent) had been submitted by newspaper interests.