The merging of print, broadcast, mobile, and common carrier communications services offers a challenge to federal regulatory agencies. A cause for concern that the information distributed must be as untarnished and unencumbered as possible and must afford the ultimate consumer the widest assortment and the greatest discretion over its interpretation and use. The information industry is being dramatically transformed by new technology. Emerging issues include the deregulation of satellite receive-only earth stations; the development of technologies like fiber optical cable, cellular mobile radio, video discs, and advanced satellites; the nature of government involvement in future forms of communications such as videotext systems; and the security of individual privacy in a new information empire. Efforts of governmental agencies like the Federal Communications Commission must be directed toward identifying future problems brought about by the technological progress of the communications industry. (AEA)