Informing the Nation. Federal Information Dissemination in an Electronic Age. Summary

This report addresses the opportunities offered by technological advances to improve the dissemination of federal information and highlights two major problems: maintaining equity in public access to federal information in electronic formats, and defining the respective roles of federal agencies and the private sector in the electronic dissemination process. In addition to providing an overview of federal information dissemination, the report discusses: (1) key technology trends relevant to federal information dissemination, including information systems integration, the microcomputer revolution, the continuing role of paper and microform, electronic publishing, online information dissemination, optical disks, expert systems, and technical standards; (2) the current and future roles of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) and the Superintendent of Documents, the Depository Library Program--administered by the GPO--and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); (3) the electronic dissemination of congressional information; (4) the Freedom of Information Act in an electronic age; (5) the electronic press release and government-press relationships; and (6) the federal information dissemination policy in an electronic age. Four appendixes contain acknowledgements of the contributors to this report and contributing authors, a list of contractor reports, and explanations of some key terms and definitions. (Information formats considered include paper, microfiche, computer tapes and diskettes, compact disks, and online databases). (CGD)