Keeping public service media accessible to domestic audiences

Singapore taking notes from UK, Australia amid efforts to support local content

- Osmond Chia

Singapore is studying new ways to support local content and keep public service media accessible to domestic audiences.

On March 7, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo said in Parliament that her ministry is taking notes from the UK and Australia, both of which have introduced laws to protect public service media apps.

The Singapore authorities are also consulting device manufacturers and industry players on ways to keep public service media apps competitive and visible, even as audiences shift to streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube on smart televisions.

The Straits Times explains the need to keep public service media accessible in Singapore, and the measures undertaken by the UK and Australia to do so.

Q Why is public service media important to Singapore?

A Public service media plays an important role amid heightened geopolitical competition in emphasizing the national position and identity, Mrs Teo said in Parliament in Mandarin on March 7.

Mediacorp and SPH Media's outlets are the only ones that report the news and analyze the impact of events from a Singaporean perspective, she said.

But they face increasing competition from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services—as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Xiaohongshu—that are driven by algorithms, said Mrs Teo.

Algorithms designed to highlight popular content or programmes that users are most likely to watch are often in conflict with the mission of public service media, which typically prioritizes material of social value over achieving ratings or generating advertising revenue.