National media events and information and communication technology: innovative world fairs of the early 21st century

Abstract

The relationship between new media and events has increasingly important effects. International expositions (expos), which inspired the opening ceremonies and presentation of medals at the Olympic Games, are considered to be the prototype of national media events. Based on interviews with expo organisers, this study investigated differences in the ways Japan, China, and South Korea utilised information and communication technology (ICT) in their respective 2005, 2010, and 2012 expos. Analysis suggests that the ways these countries organised their expos reflected their respective ICT policies. As such, international expos of the 21st century can be understood as national media events of a new era.