The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) said it was seeking public feedback to its Media Market Conduct Code, which is under review to better address competition issues that may arise under the new landscape.

It said the code was first implemented in 2003 to regulate the market for print and broadcast media, mainly newspapers and television.

But the situation was more complex since the emergence of Internet broadband services and the convergence of telecommunications and television services, it said.

"The media landscape has changed since 2003, and a good example is the adoption of different business models by traditional and new media players," said Ling Pek Ling, director for media policy at MDA.

"With the emergence of new media markets and the introduction of HDTV and IPTV services, it is timely for us to look at how we can update our code to meet the needs of the media industry," she said.

With high-definition television (HDTV), viewers can expect sharply improved picture clarity, better sound quality and access to interactive applications.

Internet protocol television, or IPTV, is a system where a digital television service is delivered by a broadband connection operated by a telecom firm.

As a sign of the changing landscape in Singapore the island's sole cable operator, StarHub, has launched a HDTV service, making it the first to offer the facility in Southeast Asia.

StarHub is also one of Singapore's three telecom operators and offers Internet broadband services.

The MDA is also responsible for the country's censor board.

In a country where all local broadcasting outlets are government-owned and newspapers are expected to be "partners" with the government, many people have turned to websites and blogs for alternative views of the city-state's political and social issues.

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