The more complicated and diverse communications technology becomes, the simpler and more unambiguous our First Amendment protections should be. The electronic republic will be best served in the 21st century by returning to the late 18th century approach to the press that was specified in the Bill of Rights. Its content should be entirely free from ‘abridgment’ by the government. In that respect, tomorrow’s telecommunications media should enjoy the same freedom as yesterday’s print press. That freedom should hold no matter what form its content may take … The First Amendment’s centuries-old language, taken literally, should be the beacon for the future.
Predictor: Grossman, Lawrence K.
Prediction, in context:In his 1995 book “The Electronic Republic: Reshaping Democracy in the Information Age,” Lawrence Grossman, former president of NBC News and PBS, writes: ”The more complicated and diverse communications technology becomes, the simpler and more unambiguous our First Amendment protections should be. The electronic republic will be best served in the 21st century by returning to the late 18th century approach to the press that was specified in the Bill of Rights. Its content should be entirely free from ‘abridgment’ by the government. In that respect, tomorrow’s telecommunications media should enjoy the same freedom as yesterday’s print press. That freedom should hold no matter what form its content may take; whether print, sound, film, or tape; whether the messages appears on the television, computer, or movie screen, or is delivered via satellite, transmitters, microwave, cable, phone, fax, printing press, or soapbox … The First Amendment’s centuries-old language, taken literally, should be the beacon for the future.”
Biography:Lawrence Grossman wrote the book “The Electronic Republic: Reshaping Democracy in an Information Age” (Penguin, 1995). The former executive at NBC and PBS urged people to realize that digital communications had altered how things can and should be done. (Author/Editor/Journalist.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Censorship/Free Speech
Name of publication: The Electronic Republic (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 9: Media Reform – Back to the Future
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 191
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne