Government policies toward information and communication technologies: a historical perspective

The development of what one might call ‘modern’ systems of information and communication began with the Gutenberg printing press in the 15 century, and progressed through the prepaid postal system, electric telegraph and telephone in the 19 century, radio and television broadcasting in the 20 century, and most recently the Internet. This essay focuses on the response of governments to these innovations, beginning with the printing press.