Abstract: Apparatus and method for broadcasting a data word from a row of broadcasting processing elements of a two-dimensional parallel processing system along the columns thereof to other rows of receiving elements in the system is disclosed. The parallel processing system is of the SIMD type, each such element being connected to at least communicate bits to the element adjacent thereto in its column. The sequence of instructions applied to the processing elements is effective to cause the efficient broadcast of the data word, with each processing element turning off upon receiving the complete data word in a shift register therein.