information food chain
n. The progression of data from bits to information to knowledge; a spectrum that covers either technological prowess — neophyte to expert — access to information — unwired to wired — or speed of delivery in media — quarterly journals to CNN.
Examples
1997
Are newspapers a vital medium for a new millennium or a musty relic of old communication? Are we still central to the lives of readers, or have we slipped down in the information food chain?
—Editorial, “Newspapers Evolving to Satisfy Today's Market,” The Times-Picayune, June 22, 1997
1994
In fact, through myriad investments (see chart), Allen has positioned himself to play a role in most phases of the information food chain, from content creators to access tools to various types of distribution and delivery systems and even to the hardware itself.
—Stuart J. Johnston, “Paul Allen's on-line kingdom,” Computerworld, October 03, 1994
1992 (earliest)
''Time is always going to be a newsmagazine. We created this form of journalism. It would be ludicrous to try to do something else,'' says Muller. ''We're faithful to the journalism we've been producing.''

Muller already has engineered a change in that journalism. In what he calls the information food chain, newsweeklies come after Cable News Network, radio, nightly network newscasts and newspapers. To remain relevant in an era of instant news and myriad media, Time and other newsweeklies have to offer a twist, he says.
—Pat Guy, “Magazine tries to be more functional,” USA Today, April 13, 1992
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