Singapore Media Essay Example
Singapore Media Essay Example

Singapore Media Essay Example

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  • Pages: 10 (2663 words)
  • Published: December 16, 2018
  • Type: Case Study
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Despite its small size, this dynamic and recently industrialized city-state is situated near the equator in the South China Sea. Often overlooked on the world map, there are still many uninformed individuals who mistakenly believe it is located "somewhere in China" without knowing its precise location.

Singapore has undergone an impressive transformation, evolving from a humble trading post to a prosperous metropolis. Economists have even dubbed it a "modest miracle" as it has emerged as a prominent Asian business hub solely through the utilization of its people (Marshall, 1970). Despite scarce resources, Singapore's strategic location at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula has enabled it to thrive as a bustling business center in Southeast Asia. This accomplishment is further reinforced by its outstanding communications network infrastructure. With its diverse multicultural heritage and vibran

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t modern ambiance, Singapore possesses all the necessary qualities for success as a business hub. The island's history dates back to the 15th century when it served as a port for various ruling Malay empires during that era.

The early settlers were likely attracted to Singapore for several reasons. Firstly, they were probably drawn to its excellent deep-water harbor, which is one of the largest in the world at approximately 93 square miles and provides six gateways to the open seas. Additionally, they may not have been concerned about Singapore's rich, hilly landscape and fertile tropical forestry. The coastal region of Singapore is ideal for different types of boats due to its smooth and rocky nature, making it easily accessible. Additionally, the settlers may have been enticed by the coastal possibilities and the relatively consistent temperate climate.

It is a humid and rainy island, with

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occasional violent winds. However, the early history wasn't documented primarily for its accuracy, but rather for its mythology. Singapore's modern history commenced when Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company arrived on the island in 1819 with the goal of establishing a trading site. The island rapidly transitioned into an official British colony, without being acknowledged as anyone's property. Through a royal British charter, Singapore was officially declared as a city and swiftly developed into a municipal colony.

According to Marshall (1970), Singapore was on the verge of becoming a prosperous industrial trading nation with the establishment of the colony. A major factor contributing to its success is the substantial increase in population, consisting primarily of Singapore citizens and permanent residents. The term "citizens" encompasses the diverse range of races that constitute the resident base in Singapore, including Chinese, Malays, Indians, Arabs, Persians, and Europeans. Initially, it is likely that the population did not exceed a few hundred thousand. However, currently both the number of individuals and their ethnicities have multiplied nearly ten times. This rapid growth in population has also resulted in an influx of various languages and cultures.

Singapore recognizes Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil, and English as its official languages. English is utilized for administrative and social functions in Singapore. Previously under British control for 150 years, Singapore briefly collaborated with Malaysia before achieving complete independence in 1965. Despite being small and resource-limited, the newly independent Singapore strongly opposed communism and fully embraced capitalism, serving as a role model for neighboring countries.

Singapore encountered a common difficulty faced by other former colonies - integrating diverse cultures and incorporating the effects of European colonialism

into a united and progressive nation. Unlike some colonies, Singapore did not have to confront conflicting indigenous cultures forced to coexist within imposed state boundaries, which often resulted in ongoing tribalism and power conflicts. However, Singapore lacked the usual fundamental aspects found in contemporary nation-states. Hence, the question arose of how to convert this multiethnic colony into a coherent nation. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's former Prime Minister, took on this mission.

The policies implemented by Yew were heavily criticized and mocked. These policies included the rigorous enforcement of public behavior codes, prioritizing the use of English as a prominent language, and constructing a national ideology centered on cultural acceptance and loyalty to the country. Due to the various nations worldwide contending for post-colonialism, Yew believed that the only viable option was to establish a robust central government capable of withstanding the tendency for states to fragment into smaller entities. Opposition from Singaporeans and domestic media, which Yew largely controlled, was relatively limited.

What he essentially did in the media represented the conflict between contemporary authoritarianism and independent journalism (Stevenson, 1994). Singapore additionally made progress in establishing a centralized government. However, it is important to note that this was not a cruel dictatorship, but rather an authoritarian regime built on the principles of commerce and prosperity. A subtle aspect of authoritarian control is that it may involve covert actions and intimidation which can subsequently be disavowed. Essentially, Singapore operates under a parliamentary system with a written constitution; however, adherence to these principles is not always consistent.

The President has a primarily symbolic role as the head of state, while the Prime Minister and cabinet govern the country and represent

the majority of parliament. The judiciary system in Singapore is influenced by the British system and consists of a Supreme Court and other courts. However, authoritarian control over the media is the most significant aspect we will discuss shortly. Initially, Singapore's economy focused on trade and shipping but soon diversified to include various industries. In terms of financial restraints and economic structure, Singapore follows similar traditions as China and Indonesia. Aside from port activities, Singapore excels in sectors such as oil, textiles, banking, insurance, and communications.

The economic growth of the city-states after World War II aligns with what is expected for a newly industrialized country (NIC). In terms of culture, housing and architecture illustrate how diversity and multiethnicity have obscured heritage. Traditional cultural enclaves and designs have been overshadowed by modern British colonial styles. The original South Asian culture has developed into a fusion of different cultures, forming a melting pot. This cultural transformation can be traced back to the nineteenth century when Singapore began participating in international trade, allowing them to incorporate elements from other countries.

Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity are part of the diverse culture that encompasses various religions and family values. Despite disrupting ancient traditions, these different religious beliefs have not eroded the strong integration of education in Asian culture and traditions. However, British practices have had an impact on it. The primary objective of education is to provide individuals with vital skills required for contributing to technological progress while highlighting the significance placed on the English language.

The impact of the West is mainly limited to telecommunications, technology, and vocational skills in Singapore. The state provides significant funding for schools and universities,

promoting intellectual and societal growth. The education system is described as being focused on resource development, with Singapore's only resource being its people. The schools are culturally isolated and heavily influenced by technology.

According to Hachten (1993), Singapore integrates its traditional Asian heritage with the global English language in both daily life and technological advancements. During the 1970s, Singapore prioritized technological progress and sought to enhance its level of technology. Information technology played a vital role in this endeavor, with Telecoms playing a pivotal part in advancing all industries. The government of Singapore accorded telecommunications high importance in its economic planning, acknowledging the exceptional system inherited from the British after gaining independence.

During the late 1980s, Singapore's telecommunications infrastructure underwent significant advancements under the guidance of Telecoms and the government. The objective was to provide excellent communication services for domestic and international requirements while serving both businesses and the general public. It was crucial for Telecoms to adhere to government directives. Services offered by Telecoms expanded rapidly, encompassing radio paging, cellular phones, facsimile, internet, electronic mail, and telepac—a locally and internationally utilized computer linking system.

By 1987, Singapore had achieved a fully touch-tone domestic telephone network, connecting all twenty-six telephone exchanges through an optical fiber network. The country's telephone coverage reached almost 100 percent with 48.5 telephones per 100 Singaporeans in homes and offices (Birch, 1993). Additionally, the electronics industry emerged as Singapore's largest sector in terms of employment and manufacturing value in the late 1980s. Approximately 28 percent of the labor force were employed in electronics, contributing to about 31 percent of total manufacturing output. Singapore also became the global leader in producing computer disk

drives, components, and related hardware by 1989 (Birch, 1993). This shift coincided with the electronics industry's move towards higher technology and skilled workforce products, reducing reliance on labor-intensive items.

The computer and electronics industries in Singapore played a crucial role in improving productivity in technology-intensive sectors. In 1981, the National Computer Board was established to address the shortage of skilled computer professionals and ensure international standards were met. This aimed to position Singapore as a global hub for computer services. Additionally, by the mid-1980s, the printing and publishing industry embraced high-tech advancements such as computerized typesetting, color separation, and book binding. With top-notch printing facilities and advanced satellite telecommunications network, Singapore became a regional center for publishing, distribution, and advanced advertising.

Singapore has a total of fifteen newspapers, comprised of five in English, three in Chinese, two in Malay, and one in Tamil. All these newspapers are published by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd., which is a conglomerate established through the merger of Singapore News and Publications Ltd., Straits Times Press Ltd., and Times Publishing Company. In general, there was no direct censorship in Singapore; however, limitations on information access existed along with restricted legal remedies and severe penalties for violations. Under the Newspapers and Printing Presses Act of 1974, the government possessed the authority to restrict the distribution of any publication if it was found to be disseminating distorted information.

The legal justification for restrictions on foreign publications was provided, and the broadcasting industry experienced growth during the eighties. The Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), founded in 1980, operated five radio stations and three television stations. The SBC offered programming in all official languages of Singapore and financed

its operations through radio and television licensing fees and commercial advertising. The television stations, including Singapore Cablevision, aired approximately 165 hours of programming each week in multiple languages. Similarly, radio broadcasting mirrored the British broadcasting networks.

The radio has been overshadowed by the television and the Internet in most developed nations. In 1988, Singapore became the first in the region to establish a dedicated digital data network, providing high-speed data transmission and voice communications of up to two mega bits per second. This network, connected through satellite links with the rest of the world, also made Singapore a hotbed for technological crimes. As a result, Singapore was able to create logical rules for internet and media usage. However, copyright and intellectual property issues hindered computer and industrial development in the early 1980s, as Singapore and other Asian countries were notorious for producing pirated versions of various products. This concern is common among developed nations.

In response to threats of trade sanctions by Western trading partners and the breaking off of business relations by international computer and software companies, Singapore enacted its first copyright law in 1986. This law, influenced by Western copyrighting ideals, was strictly enforced in areas such as computer software, films, and cassette tapes due to Western pressure. The book trade also saw high compliance with the copyright laws, which had not been as problematic. The adoption of copyright laws by Asian countries marked a significant acknowledgement that they had become part of the international information network as both producers and consumers (Sim, 1986). Additionally, Singapore quickly embraced the World Wide Web as a media innovation that connected it to the global media universe.

Singapore is

at the forefront of providing interactive multimedia applications and services to households, companies, and schools. Singapore One, the largest network service provider in Southeast Asia, has formulated a comprehensive strategy to transform Singapore into a technologically advanced island that embraces information technology and enhances people's well-being. Multiple servers and websites are dedicated to keeping Singapore updated in this era of information. Nevertheless, like other regions, the internet has introduced Western culture into every computer in Singapore, possibly overshadowing their diverse traditional heritage. Despite this obstacle, Singapore's leadership has effectively steered economic development and technological restructuring for more than three decades.

By the end of the 20th century, Singapore transformed from a former colonial port to a prominent global financial, trading, and industrial center. Despite its historical roots in the 19th century, Singapore consistently demonstrates adaptability to changing demands in the world economy, significantly affecting its way of life. However, in the upcoming decade, a new generation of leaders will assume complete control over both Singapore's government and economy. These leaders will face the challenge of achieving a balance between maintaining ongoing progress in the country's development and addressing citizens' growing desires for greater participation in political and economic decision-making.

In hindsight, the report on Singapore's historical background and media framework has followed a somewhat chronological order. It begins with its origins as a trading post, progresses to its industrialization, and now focuses on its transition from technological stagnation. It is worth contemplating how America underwent its development and how swiftly it occurred. Apart from Singapore's governmental structure, the remarkable resemblance between their transformation from a modest colony to an industrialized metropolis is undeniable. Comparable to the United

States, Singapore achieved independence through struggle and innovation. The only divergence lies in the fact that Singapore is under authoritarian control. Undoubtedly, the media structure in Singapore requires some form of revolution due to the government-imposed restrictions.

Such is the desired future of Singapore and its citizens. Through my experience in Singapore, I gained valuable knowledge and was amazed by its rapid development and grandeur. Singapore deserves admiration for its progress over the past fifty years. However, in order to thrive as a global media competitor, certain changes need to be made. The first and most important change would be to restructure the government to adapt to global economic competition. This would entail getting rid of authoritarian control over the Singapore media and enabling an independent free press.

If Singapore were to do these things, the country could become as technologically advanced as other Asian countries. Improving their media system by fostering relationships with foreign publications is another way to achieve this. This would result in more advertising and revenue. However, for this to happen, the government needs to loosen their control on national security and provide the press with valuable information. This suggests a need for reform in the authoritarian rule.

In summary, despite its flaws and reasonable shortcomings, Singapore has made significant progress from Third-World status. To further enhance its development, Singapore's ruling class should find ways to embrace foreign media relations and remove restrictions on media content. This would result in a mutually beneficial arrangement, similar to that of America.


Bibliography

  1. Birch, David Ian. Singapore Media: communication strategies and practices, 1st Edition. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire, 1993.

  • Hachten, William A. The Growth of Media in the Third World: African Failures, Asian Successes. 1st Edition. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1993.
  • Stevenson, Robert L. Global Communication in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Longman Publishing Group, 1994, 224-226.
  • Periodicals:

  • Marshall, David. "Singapore's Struggle for Nationhood, 1945-1959." Journal of Asian Studies, Singapore Vol. 1, No. 2.
  • Sept 1970, 99-104. Sim, Terence. "Computer Power for Manpower." Pioneer. No. 107.

    Singapore: Sept. 1986, 16.

  • The website www.britannica.com provides a variety of helpful resources related to Singapore. It offers an encyclopedia profile, along with relevant articles and editorials for this report.
  • The website www.excite.com is a search engine site that provides information used by tourism. It includes media content and information about the structure of Singapore.
  • The website www.singseek.com is a search site specifically for information about Singapore. It primarily focuses on historical background and numerical statistics.
  • The website www.asia1.com.sg is the homepage for Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), which is a telecommunications company known as Asia One.
  • The website contains links to several prominent newspapers and broadcasting stations in Singapore.

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