The interactive television: Developing a favorable regulatory environment in Singapore

Abstract

This paper will examine how the various media regulatory policies affect the development and implementation of the Interactive Television (ITV) in Singapore by gathering both primary and secondary information from its national media regulatory agency, the Media Development Authority (MDA). This paper will particularly enquire on the unique dual role of MDA a?? regulator and facilitator a?? and how it strives to balance its paradoxical relationship with the media industry in an attempt to change its a??branda?? image of a strict regulator and cultivate a business-friendly regulatory environment. With respect to the regulatory agencya??s grand vision to transform Singapore into a a??Global Media Citya??, this paper is going to use the case study of the ITV to show how the regulatory process has actually become less stringent, and how MDA becomes more and more intertwined with the media industry, as it regularly calls itself an a??active industry partner.a??