The role of the broadcasting regulator in the era of convergence

Abstract

In this paper, I would like to focus on the role of the broadcasting regulator in the era of convergence. Indeed, technological advancements have brought about a different landscape as we knew it in the past. In today’s world it is possible to hear your radio through the internet without the need of having a radio apparatus. The same applies to television which can be seen through the internet. Technologies are coming together to offer various services on one medium. All these developments have brought and will continue to bring about technological and media convergence. This, in turn, necessitates new regulatory structures to be able to monitor the new technological landscape. Bearing the above changes, I set out in this paper to identify what | consider ought to be the three main characteristics of a broadcasting regulator. I will then discuss in greater depth these characteristics. Further, I will address convergence and briefly refer to those regulators that are established by their respective legislation as ‘single’ or ‘convergent’ regulators. Finally, I will study the challenges ahead for both the traditional and the convergent regulator within the communications landscape.