In this essay, former Markle president Lloyd N. Morrisett discussed the evolution of communications media since 1969 when the Markle Foundation adopted its mass communications focus and the corresponding adaptations made to the program. Morrisett wrote, “In 1985, this focus has been broadened to include both mass communications and information technologies, reflecting the technical advances and widening availability of new technologies.” This broadening included four new areas for exploration into the use of communications and information technologies to enhance political participation, to benefit the aging population, for electronic publishing, and for home computing.
