Singapore set to rewrite foreign broadcast rules

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