Singapore: The changing media environment

MSN Encarta :
change (transitive and intransitive verb) - to become different, or to make something or someone different

What: A radio programme The Media Report aired on the Australia Broadcasting Corporation Radio National explored issues regarding the changing media landscape in Singapore and the limits of media liberalisation.

When: 8 February 2007

Who: Sinapan Samydorai, Director of Think Centre; and Dr Cherian George, Associate Professor of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

To follow the above definition of 'change', the Singapore media landscape has changed. There are now two major commercial media companies here - namely MediaCorp Pte Ltd and Singapore Press Holdings Ltd since the media liberalisation in June 2000. Recently, even MediaCorp has jumped the pay-per-view broadcasting bandwagon which hitherto has been dominated by StarHub.

As a result, there is greater content selection with more television channels and newspapers available to Singaporeans. I think the government's aims of media liberalisation have been achieved to some extent. Although I know there are those who beg to differ.

One point discussed during the programme stuck in my mind.

Alternative media may prove to be better at promoting social cohesion than traditional media
Dr Cherian George opined that the former are not commercially driven and will prioritise Singapore's interests compared to the latter. This is something I never thought of before. It's common to think that alternative media are platforms for views different from the PAP. Hence, bringing about less chances for nation-building.

I believe he is basing his conclusions on the premise that bloggers (among other authors of alternative media) feel they own their blogs and the opinions held in them. This sense of ownership (and not the ability to earn profits) may be the driving force to push for ideals that they want.

Do you think media liberalisation in Singapore still has a long way to go? What kind of media will be regarded as being truly liberalised?