The speed of communications is wondrous to behold. It is also true that speed can multiply the distribution of information that we know to be untrue.

Murrow contrasts technological progress in communication with an ethical and epistemic danger: faster channels do not inherently improve truthfulness. Instead, speed amplifies reach—so errors, propaganda, and deliberate falsehoods can spread more widely and quickly than ever before. The remark reflects a core Murrow concern about modern mass media: that the tools of broadcasting are morally neutral, and their social value depends on editorial judgment, verification, and a commitment to public responsibility. Implicitly, it warns audiences not to equate immediacy with reliability and urges journalists to resist the pressure of rapid dissemination when it compromises accuracy.