Abstract:
This paper examined, analyzed, and compared the discussion of regulation of two communication systems: radio communication (known first as wireless telegraphy, radio, and eventually radio broadcasting) from 1904 to 1927, and Internet communication from 1958 to 1996. Furthermore, the paper examined the library profession's contribution to these regulation discussions, and the extent to which this contribution reflected this profession's mission.
Key participants, the structure of the discussion process, and key issues were compared and contrasted to learn (1) whether similarities from both discussions outweighed the differences; (2) whether early radio regulation proved an acceptable historical analogy in which to view the discussion of Internet regulation; and (3) whether participants of the Internet discussion in 1996 reached the same conclusions reached in 1927. The comparison revealed similarities and differences in thought, process, and action that consisted of tensions between liberty and order, yet decision makers' concerns for commerce outweighed concerns for liberty in both discussions.
The library profession's contribution to the discussions was only evident in the Internet regulation discussion. The author could not determine from the available records whether the library profession was directly involved in the discussion of radio regulation. However, what is well documented is that this profession utilized both media to promote their mission of service and accessibility of collections and information in general to their users.
