PROTECTING OUR CULTURE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BROADCASTING CONTENT REGULATION IN MALAYSIA AND CANADA

In this paper, the author compares the broadcasting content regulations in Malaysia and Canada. Both countries face the challenge of protecting a distinct culture from the onslaught of foreign programmes. In Malaysia, there is a continued adherence to censorship, the traditional method of content regulation, despite the growing awareness that technological advancements may render such censorship ineffective. The Malaysian regulatory scheme also lacks transparency, clarity and consistency. Canada, however, has embraced the philosophy of creating incentives to promote local programming. Production funds and licensing requirements are among the more successful Canadian regulatory mechanisms which could be adopted in Malaysia.