REGULATION SPAGHETTI

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