Media Structure and regulations of HK & SG
HONG KONG
According to Freedom of the press and publication, in Article 27 of Basic Law, Hong Kong is a region (mini-constitution) and is also protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) under Article 39 of the Basic Law.
However, in Hong Kong, there is no media law. The media are governed by statutory laws.
There are 31 Ordinances which are directly related to the mass media. Some Ordinances are shown in the table below. These Ordinances aim at regulating mass media but some of their provisions do affect the operation of media organizations and also the freedom of press.
The media in Hong Kong are television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the Internet.
The role of the media is serving to provide the local community with necessary information and entertainment.
There are 34 Chinese newspapers organizations:
Below are some that are available on FACEBOOK:
There are 13 English newspapers organisations:
As Hong Kong newspaper follows a particular political stance, they are either pro-Beijing or pro-democracy. Some newspapers are completely neutral or are oriented towards finance or religion.
Besides printing (newspapers), there are 10 main television stations:
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亚洲电视有限公司 Asia Television(ATV)
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电视广播有限公司Television Broadcasts Limited(TVB)
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香港有线电视（Hong Kong Cable Television，HKCATV）
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无线收费电视有限公司（TVB Pay Vision Limited，TVBPV）
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now宽频电视（now TV）
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香港宽频bbTV（HKBN bbTV）
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凤凰卫视 Phoenix Television（PHTV)
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香江卫视（HKTV）
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香港卫视 Hong Kong Satellite Television（HKS）
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香港电视（HKTV）
In addition, there are also 4 television channels which are free to air for the public:
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Television Broadcasts Limited(TVB) 無綫電視
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Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK; 港台電視) (Hong Kong government owned, no licence required)
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HK Television Entertainment (HKTVE; 香港電視娛樂)
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Fantastic Television Limited (FTV; 奇妙電視)
New Asia Network Limited (NAN; 新亚电视台) is the parent company Forever Top (Asia) Limited abandoned the application, following its acquisition of Cable TV Hong Kong and its subsidiary, Fantastic Television, which is a free television provider.
Hong Kong Press Freedom Index: 73
SINGAPORE
Role of Media in Singapore
Mr K Shammugam (2010), Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Law:
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Neutral Platform
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Commentary separate from news
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Report fully and fairly
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To probe, ask inconvenient questions and expose wrong-doing
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Convey views of opposing politicians
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Political fray
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Should not campaign for or against a policy position
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Should not take part in the political process
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Should not use the privileged access to the media to push a political perspective
Social Responsibility:
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The industry is encouraged to be socially responsible and to take adequate steps to ensure the content meets with community standards.
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Example: Imported publication and video games importers do not require licenses from the MDA. They are instead guided by MDA guidelines and are responsible for the content they bring in.
Media Structure:
In Singapore, there are two media companies, Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and MediaCorp. They dominate local print and broadcast media. Both of them are touted as privately owned entities even though their management are linked to the government and tend to hold a pro-government stance. They keep strict control of the editorial line of their newspapers, television and radio stations.
The Media Development Authority (MDA) approves publications, issues arts entertainment licences and enforces the Free-To-Air (FTA) TV Programme Code, Subscription TV Programme Code, TV Advertising Code, Radio Programme Code and the Radio Advertising Code through financial penalties.
Media Structure of Local Press:
There are nine daily newspapers in Singapore:
Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) is the main newspaper publisher in Singapore.
Regulation of Publication Materials:
Media Structure of Television:
MediaCorp is Singapore's largest terrestrial broadcaster. It owns and manages the entertainment channels, Channel 5, Channel 8 and Channel U as well as the Malay entertainment and information channel, Suria. It also owns and manages OKTO and Vasantham.
Media Structure of Radio:
MediaCorp Radio owns and operates 13 radio stations which broadcast in four different languages over the airwaves. It also operates XFM 96.3 which broadcasts in Japanese, French, German, Korean and Hindi to the expatriate communities in Singapore.
Regulation of TV and Radio:
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Broadcasting Act (Cap 297)
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Programme Code
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Free-To-Air TV Programme Code
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Subscription TV Programme Code
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Video-On-Demand Code
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Mobile Digital TV Programme Code
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TV Advertising Code
Advertising Code: Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (SCAP)
Sponsorship Code: TV Programme Sponsorship Guide
Singapore Press Freedom Index: 151
