Media Policy and Regulation in the Age of Convergence: the Hong Kong experience

Abstract

The advent of digital technology and its ability to deliver content from a variety of traditional media forms has blurred the boundaries between the computer, telecommunications and television sectors, and has led to the emergence of a 'convergence' phenomenon, thereby posing new problems and challenges for the regulators of media industries worldwide. In this article the authors trace the emergence and development of the convergence phenomenon, set out various theories put forward by communications scholars to account for its emergence, and examine the regulatory issues and concerns for media regulators that arise from the convergence phenomenon. The authors then examine the approach adopted by Hong Kong in dealing with the convergence phenomenon, and discuss briefly the recently enacted Telecommunications (Amendment) and Broadcasting Ordinances. The authors conclude that Hong Kong should shift from a 'gradualist' to a 'radical' approach in its media policy and regulation, if it is to deal adequately with the convergence phenomenon in the 21st century.