New Communication Technologies and the Public Interest: Comparative Perspectives on Policy and Research

The seminal studies in Part One explore theoretical perspectives related to the new media, examining media-centred versus society-centred theories and offering a socio-economic model of information technology. Part Two takes a comparative look at policies and strategies in different industrialized societies, notably the US, UK and Japan. Part Three moves on to policy questions. The effect of deregulation in the United States is considered together with the threat posed to privacy by international databanks.

The final section presents a comparative overview of the policies adopted across a range of cultures. These perspectives provide a valuable insight into emerging global trends, as well as suggesting directions for future research. New Communication Technologies and the Public Interest will thus be essential reading for all those interested in the consequences of new technologies.