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| If only it was this simple |
In the race between media and legislation, the media is way
ahead, and thanks to Web 2.0, user-generated content and media convergence,
media seems uncatchable. In this vein, Terry Flew (2012) outlines and discusses
the ALRC’s review of the National Classification Scheme in his article “Media
Classification: Content regulation in an age of convergent media”.
Flew criticizes the current classification scheme as being
highly fragmented and highly ineffective (2012). One of the major reasons for
this is media convergence. Henry Jenkins defines media convergence as “The flow
of content across multiple media platforms, the cooperation between multiple
media industries, and the migratory behaviour of media audiences who will go
almost anywhere in search of the kinds of entertainment experiences they want”
(2008). It is this convergence that contributes to the view that the current
convergence scheme is “like a bowl of spaghetti... complex, tangled and, from a
media user point of view, impossible to tell which bit of media content
connects to which regulatory framework” (Flew, T 2012).
While the seemingly constant introduction of new media
platforms can confuse regulatory legislation, the ALRC makes a good point by
outlining the need for a framework that focuses upon media content rather than
delivery platforms (Flew, T 2012). This leads on to what they describe as their
cornerstone recommendation; “Platform-neutral regulation”.
The ALRC recommendations look great on paper (especially the
idea of a single regulator), but I believe that the most important principle
brought forward in this article was number 5; “the classification regulatory framework
needs to be responsive to technological change and adaptive to new
technologies, platforms and services” (Flew, T 2012). In a perfect world, regulation
and media would develop at the same rate, but i can’t see it happening.
Reference
Flew, T (2012) ‘Media Classification: Content regulation in
an age of convergent media Media International Australia incorporating
Culture and Policy, 143 May : 5 – 15
Jenkins, Henry (2008) “Convergence Culture: Where
Old and New Media Collide”, NYU
Press, accessed on 28/3/2013
