传真技术传入中国考:兼述其在新闻事业中的应用

How the Fax Technology was Introduced into China and its Application in the Journalism

传播科技的每一次突破性的进展,通常都伴随着一种新的传播媒介的诞生,或导致传播水平的相应提高和传播观念的相应变革。20世纪20年代传真技术传入中国,因其在信息的传输和表现形态上相较传统的莫尔斯电码电报一目了然、无须转译,赢得了当局的注意和重视。在政府的推动和鼓励下,传真电报很快被用于新闻传播事业。尽管这种使用还不是新闻采访和报道的常态行为,但是却孕育着搅动传统新闻传播形态和格局的巨大能量。

Every breakthrough of communication technologies usually accompanied by the appearance of a new media, at the same time, leads to the revolution of communication ideas and activities. Fax Technology was introduced to China in the 1920s. Because of its technological superiority compared to traditional Samuel Morse Telegraphy System, it gained wide attention of the authorities. With the promotion and encouragement of the government, fax technology was then quickly applied to the journalism. Though the use of fax for many reporters isn＇t often, fax technology also has the potential power to stir the traditional journalism and communication pattern.