Interest in information technology and the media is growing apace. This book has been specially written to provide an economics framework for analysing the nature and scope, as well as issues, pertaining to the new information and communication technology and revolution. It also presents some trends and perspectives from the Asia-Pacific region. While the economic principles of efficiency and competition are the same everywhere, many socio-political issues with respect to information technology and the media are unique to some specific cultural contexts. The book will be useful to students, researchers and policymakers in mass communication, information technology and the media.

Contents:

• The Economics of Information:
• Overview of Information Technology and the Media
• Basic Economic Principles and Concepts
• Market Structure and Competition
• Players and Markets in Information Technology and the Media:
• Information Technology and Media Markets
• Government Intervention and Regulation
• Information Technology, Labour and Employment
• Technology and the Market
• Information Management
• Public Policy and the Global Economy:
• National Information Policy
• Information Technology and the Media in the Global Economy
• Issues in Media and Information Economics
• Information Technology in the Asia-Pacific:
• Trends and Applications in the Asia-Pacific