This book investigates how the integration of computer technology into newspaper production during the 1980s fundamentally transformed the structure and output of the journalism industry. Anthony D. Smith, a seasoned observer of media evolution, utilizes historical analysis and industry observation to argue that computerization is not merely a technical upgrade but a force that alters the quantity, nature, and texture of public information. He examines the shift from traditional mechanical processes to digital workflows, identifying the resulting challenges to established definitions of objective journalism.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the early digital transformation of the print media industry. Readers frequently note the clarity of the author's analysis regarding the intersection of technological advancement and institutional change.