| Abstract |
Traditionally, the boundaries among the computer, telecommunications and television sectors have been very clear-cut. However, with the advent of digital technology in recent years, it has become possible to deliver the same content through a variety of media form. As a result, traditional boundaries dividing these sectors have become blurred and led to the emergence of a 'convergence' phenomenon. Some scholars argue that technological convergence will first lead to industry and service integration, which will be followed by regulatory convergence. This technological development inevitably poses new problems and challenges for the regulators of media industries worldwide.
This paper attempts to explicate the policy responses that the Government of Singapore adopts in dealing with technological convergence and related regulatory issues in the broadcasting sector. The central hypothesis is that national broadcasting policy decisions reflect each country's political, economic and social interests. Thus, the imperative of technological convergence will not necessarily lead to media and regulatory convergence, i.e., identical regulatory mode and paradigms, as evidenced by the regulatory experience of Singapore. To a certain extent, nation-states can still preserve their autonomy in formulating their own media policies without giving up their abilities to integrate into the global information economy.
This paper is divided into 3 parts. The first part of this paper discusses the definition of technological convergence and then traces the emergence and development of such a convergence phenomenon. It also sets out various theories put forward by communications scholars to account for its emergence. It then examines the regulatory issues and concerns for media regulators that arise from the convergence phenomenon, with a focus on four issues: the role of government, sector-specific regulations, multiple regulators and competition law and policy. It then identifies three approaches usually adopted in different jurisdictions to deal with the convergence phenomenon: 'do-nothing', 'gradualist' and 'radical'.
The second part of the paper reviews different policy approaches adopted by Singapore in dealing with the convergence phenomenon. Traditionally, Singapore is famous with her high-handed government involvement and her responsiveness to the world-wide technological trend. She has made substantial changes in her media policy in response to the convergence phenomenon, reflecting her eagerness to cope with a new media environment. Nevertheless, the rosy promise of technological convergence does not necessarily lead to a complete liberalization of Singaporeˇ¦s broadcasting sector. As a matter of fact, Singapore Government re-regulates rather than de-regulate her broadcasting sector, which reflects that her policy autonomy has not been challenged even under the pressure of technological imperative.
The third part of this paper tries to give theoretical explanations to Singapore's deliberate adoption of the policy of 'partial' convergence in dealing with the convergence phenomenon. Assessment will also be made on whether this policy is effective and successful. The final part of this paper makes a conclusion on Singapore's case.
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