|
Information Society
The Institute is studying how information technology and Singapore's rapid transformation into an "intelligent" island and an information society have created new challenges and opportunities in the social and political management of the country.
We are constantly challenged by how fast information technology is developing and the enormous speed with which it is affecting society and social frameworks. As a double-edged sword, Information Technology both benefits and constrains different segments of society, creating digital divides across generational and economic lines. Government policies and programmes will naturally have to play a proactive role in bridging such divides, especially as the knowledge economy and e-Government become an integral part of an information society. The Institute is monitoring such policy-making, while also studying how information technology is being used, what its impact might be, and how e-Governance, the information society and the digital divide in Singapore are developing.
Another component of the information society is mass media. Singapore's strategic intent to develop as an international media hub requires both developmental and regulatory frameworks. IPS looking at the tensions arising between these two perspectives, and how they are being reconciled by a multi-pronged approach involving the government, the private sector and user communities. Other key issues that we are looking at are the globalisation and regionalisation of the media market, competition between media monopolies, and political constraints on cross border media operations.
|
|
STAFF |
|
|
|
KEY PROJECTS/PUBLICATIONS |
|
Internet In Singapore: A Study on Usage & Impact
Eddie Kuo, Alfred Choi, Arun Mahizhnan, et al.
Singapore: Times Academic Press, 2002. This study looked at annual nation-wide
surveys among Singaporean adults on their use of the internet and how it has
impacted social, e-commerce and media consumption behaviours. Developing an Intelligent Island: Dilemmas of Censorship Arun Mahizhnan, presented “Censorship in an Intelligent Island”, 16 Oct 2002
A discussion of conflicting censorship regimes
brought about by IT. Broadcast Media in ASEAN
Henry Tan & Arun Mahizhnan, eds. Singapore:
ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information, 2002. A historical review of
broadcasting development in seven ASEAN countries. E-Government: The Singapore Case Arun Mahizhnan & A. Narayanan, presented at the 5th International Conference on Tamil Internet”, 27-29 Sep 2002, in San Francisco, organised by the International Forum for Information Technology in Tamil. A descriptive presentation of Singapore's efforts in building an e-Government infrastructure.
Report on Broadcast Industry Arun Mahizhnan & Henry Tan. Singapore Broadcasting Authority, 2001 (restricted circulation). A study on the future developments of the broadcast industry in Singapore.
Digital Divide: Deepening or Diminishing
Arun Mahizhnan, presented at the 9th
Williamsburg Conference, organised by the Asia Society, 17 - 19 Mar 2001. This
paper analysed popular notions about how the advent of IT in the world is
affecting the divide between the IT-rich and IT-poor. Governance in Cyberspace: Light Touch on the Net
Arun Mahizhnan, at the Conference on Governance
and Cyberspace: The Substance After the Sizzle, 1 - 4 Oct 2001, organised by
the International Institute of Communications (IIC). A look at control factors
in the internet and other IT devices used for public communication. Arun Mahizhnan & Eddie Kuo, presented at the Internet Political Economy Conference, 14 - 15 Sep 2001, organised by the National University of Singapore (NUS). A discussion of recent developments in cross border mass communications affecting national sovereignty and national norms.
Opening Windows: Issues in Communication A compilation of articles and industry data on mass media. Asia Media Information and Communication Centre, 1996
|
|
FUTURE RESEARCH |
|
With the increasing use of the Internet to transfer key information between society and the government, IPS will study the effect of e-Government upon social life, and related issues such as privacy and the spectre of “big brotherhood”. The Institute will also continue to watch the globalisation and localisation of the information society.
|
|
RESEARCH RESOURCES |
|
SINGAPORE SPAM CONTROL BILL 2007
|
|
|
