Dated: 30 March 2007
To promote greater industry co-regulation and intensify public education
The National Internet Advisory Committee (NIAC) today released its tenth annual report, reiterating its call to promote greater industry co-regulation and intensify public education outreach programmes to complement the Media Development Authority (MDA)’s light-touch regulatory framework to address challenges brought about by the pervasiveness of the Internet and new media services.
MDA notes the NIAC’s views and recommendations on how MDA can ensure that its Internet regulatory framework remains light touch but effective in dealing with challenges ahead. It agrees with the NIAC that MDA should monitor market trends and review its regulations regularly in consultation with the industry.
MDA also welcomes the NIAC’s recommendations on what industry and civic organisations can do to educate the public, especially parents, on the tools they can use to guide their children in surfing the Net safely. It notes the NIAC’s recommendations to study the effectiveness of Family Access network services in Singapore and looks forward to working with the Internet service providers and telcos to see what more can be done in this area.
On public education, MDA appreciates the significant contributions made by the NIAC and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) in developing and launching the Cyber Wellness initiatives (Annex A) which help to inculcate a culture of safe and inspiring use of the Internet. MDA is happy to note that the Cyber Wellness programmes supported by MDA and its strategic partners have reached out to over 1.8 million users and the Cyber Wellness core values will now be included in the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s Civic and Moral Education syllabus. It agrees with the NIAC that public education is very important in ensuring that Singaporeans are well equipped and empowered to address the social issues arising from the Internet and other new media services.
MDA would also like to thank the NIAC and the CAC for their services and advice over the past ten years. Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA said, ”Since its inception in 1996, the NIAC and its related committees like the CAC have helped to shape Internet developments to what it is today. We thank all members for volunteering their time and efforts to counsel MDA on public education and ways to enhance the policy framework for Internet and new media services. In particular, MDA would like to thank Professor Bernard Tan for his commitment and visionary service as the NIAC Chairman since its inauguration in 1996.
”Moving ahead, MDA will intensify our public education programmes and work with partners to promote media literacy and Cyber Wellness to better prepare Singaporeans for the Digital Age.”
About the NIAC
The NIAC is a 25-member committee which advises the Media Development Authority (MDA) on its policies and regulations on the Internet, new media and related services. It has two sub-committees to look into industry and regulatory issues. The NIAC is chaired by Professor Bernard Tan, Professor of Physics at the National University of Singapore.
About the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21, a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media 21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore content, internationalising local media companies, nurturing local media talent and developing digital media. More information on MDA can be found on
http://www.mda.gov.sg.
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