SINGAPORE: Despite a move to amend the Broadcasting Authority Act,
Singapore is hoping foreign broadcasters lured there with tax incentives
will continue to base their regional operations in the city.
Under the amendments, the government is seeking to curtail or halt cable
broadcasts deemed to be interfering in domestic politics. Foreign
broadcasters - such as BBC, CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg - which fail to
comply with the act can also be fined up to Sdollars 100,000 (USdollars
55,000).
The changes will bring the legislation in line with the foreign print
media laws which allow the government to stop the distribution of errant
titles. Christopher Donville, president of Singapore's Foreign
Correspondent's Association (FCA), issued a statement stating the "FCA
is concerned the legislation may impede the flow of accurate and
legitimate information into and out of Singapore".
Nic Van Zwanenberg, head of network distribution for the BBC, said:
"From our point of view it's business as usual because we currently
abide by an impartial approach to journalism."
However, he added that the change could impede Singapore's efforts to
become a regional news hub. There are 40 foreign channels on Singapore
Cable Vision and the government offers tax incentives to broadcasters
producing programmes in Singapore for the region.
