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What is information? Who are the information rich and who are the information poor? Set against a broad historical backdrop, this study explores the information society in the light of the economic and social pressures which are placed upon information gatherers and keepers. This third edition has been revised to take account of further rapid change in mass media in general and in the World Wide Web in particular. The commercial value of information to those who wish to access it and to those who wish to process and disseminate it becomes increasingly important in a world where information can be transmitted in split seconds. Information can become a political tool which can be abused as easily as it is used. In examining the differing threads that make up the information society, the author looks at the ehtics of information transfer in the context of the social relationship between the citizen and the state. Major contemporary issues examined include censorship, copyright, freedom of information and access to information. The inquisitive nature of this examination of the information profession and its exploration beyond the traditional boundaries of librarianship should make it useful to all information providers. It is also suitable for students of information, librarianship and information studies.