MDA seeks public consultation on proposed changes to Media Market Conduct Code

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) is conducting its first triennial review of the Media Market Conduct Code and is seeking public feedback. The move is part of MDA’s continual efforts to nurture a pro-business environment while ensuring more media choices for the public.

The revision of the Code will ensure that it remains relevant and effective in promoting fair market conduct and competition amidst the rapid changes in the Singapore media industry. MDA aims to issue the revised Code in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The Code was first implemented in April 2003 to address competition issues related to the broadcasting and print sectors. The revised Code aims to move beyond these sectors to address changes in the media industry.

Ms Ling Pek Ling, Director, Media Policy, MDA, said, “The media landscape has changed since 2003 and a good example is the adoption of different business models by traditional and new media players. With the emergence of new media markets and the introduction of HDTV and IPTV services, it is timely for us to look at how we can update our Code to meet the needs of the media industry.”

Where applicable, MDA will also align the revised Code’s competition principles and applications with international best practices and the Competition Act (Cap. 50B) administered by the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS).

The proposed revisions include:

(i) Expanding the Code beyond the broadcasting and print sectors to address the evolution of new media markets.

(ii) Ensuring fair competition for industry players by retaining current guidelines for dominant players and relevant markets. MDA will also pro-actively define markets based on the nature of specific cases.

(iii) Ensuring that media players do not unfairly engage in practices by leveraging on their affiliates’ significant market power in a media or non-media market.

(iv) Adopting a more pro-active approach towards handling industry competition and public complaints by revising its enforcement procedures to be more pro-industry. In its investigations, MDA will initiate steps to define the relevant media market and dominant person so as to form a preliminary opinion and make its analysis available to the relevant parties for their comments.

A summary of the proposed revisions to the revised Code is attached at Annex 1. More information is available at MDA’s Explanatory Note on the First Triennial Review of the Code of Practice for Market Conduct in the Provision of Mass Media Services at www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/devnpolicies.aspx?sid=138.

Annex A

The public can e-mail their comments to MDA at MDA_ROMC_Comments@imda.gov.sg and concurrently submit their comments in writing to MDA on or before 12 noon, 7 May 2007. Submissions will be published on MDA’s website at www.mda.gov.sg.

For more information, please contact: 

Koh June May 

Senior Manager, Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel: (65) 6837 9363
Email: june_may_koh@imda.gov.sg

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 www.mda.gov.sg.