The Growth and Decline of Research on the Diffusion of the News, 1945-1985

Abstract

Research on word-of-mouth diffusion of news, presented initially by media, began in 1945. The Kennedy assassination stimulated numerous studies. However, by the 1970s the pace of such research slowed. At present, the tradition has all but run out. The findings of forty years yield six broad generalizations, but little theory. In view of the vital role of the news in modern society, the decline in this research tradition is difficult to understand.