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JTA Enters Computer Age

January 4, 1979
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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The Jewish Telegraphic Agency’s daily news file from its international headquarters in New York is now transmitted world-wide using the latest computer technology via Reuters transmission facilities.

Until the end of 1978, the JTA operator punched copy on a teletype machine and transmitted the copy to Reuters in New York, where it was relayed through another teletype operation to Reuters Automatic Data Exchange (ADX) in London and from there to JTA offices and clients throughout the world.

JTA operators now type stories on an ultramodern electronic terminal which combines a TV screen and a typewriter keyboard, stores articles on a floppy disc and at any appropriate time transmits them via telephone to a computer in Reuters New York data center. The computer then automatically forwards material to the ADX in London.

Introduction of the electronic system means that news is transmitted and distributed faster. In addition, the terminal ensures that fever errors are made, makes it easier to repeat copy that is garbled or lost in transmission and, also, allows JTA editors to make last minute changes.

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