Replacing slower mail service, satellite transmission now gives the newspaper industry a practical and almost spontaneous method for sending all kinds of information to any newspaper across the country. Unlike other communication industries, newspapers did not begin to make widespread use of satellite technology until 1979, when government regulation requiring expensive licensure for receive-only satellite dishes was lifted. "The Wall Street Journal,""The New York Times," and "USA Today" are three major newspapers employing satellite technology, the latter being a "national daily" newspaper--a format virtually impossible without satellite transmission. The two major news wire services, The Associated Press and United Press International, have moved rapidly to install receiving stations since deregulation of receive-only dishes, thus allowing them independence from and considerable savings over transmission through telephone facilities. This technology has also made possible the concept of transmitting newspapers into subscribers' homes through television. More efficient communication within franchise businesses and "videoconferencing" are also possibilities. The most significant advantages of using satellites for news gathering will be realized if technology continues to make satellite communications more portable and less expensive, although clarity of reception is no longer guaranteed since frequency coordination of signals is no longer under regulation. (HTH)