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Ministry of Digital Development and Information
Public Consultation

Public Consultation on the Draft Info-Communications Media Development Authority (Amendment) Bill

24 December 2025

24 December 2025

PART I: INTRODUCTION

  1. The Info-communications Media Development Authority (“IMDA”) Act (the “Act”) was enacted in 2016 to establish IMDA, through the merger of Info-communications Development Authority and then-Media Development Authority at that time, as the single regulator and developer for the converging telecommunication and media sectors.

  2. In May 2022, following a review of the competition regulation in the telecommunication and media sectors with public consultations, IMDA issued a converged Code of Practice for Competition in the Provision of Telecommunication and Media Services 2022 (“TMCC”). The TMCC aims to promote effective and sustainable competition, as well as safeguard consumer interests, in the converging telecommunication sector, and the broadcasting and newspaper sectors (collectively, the media sector). It replaced two separate codes of practice – (a) the Code of Practice for Competition in the Provision of Telecommunication Services 2012; and (b) the Code of Practice for Market Conduct in the Provision of Media Services.

  3. The TMCC achieved harmonisation to the extent consistent with existing legislation. To further harmonise and refine the treatment of market competition issues across the telecommunication and media sectors, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (“MDDI”) and IMDA are proposing legislative amendments to the Act.

  4. MDDI and IMDA are launching this consultation to seek views and comments on the proposed amendments to the Act to implement (a) changes to the media competition framework on which industry was previously consulted (Part II) and (b) further refinements for better clarity of the provisions (Part III). This Consultation Paper outlines the proposed amendments, and the procedures and timeframe for members of the industry and public to submit their views and comments (Part V). The proposed Info-communications Media Development Authority (Amendment) Bill (“Draft Bill”) is attached as Annex A.

PART II:  AMENDMENTS TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES TO MEDIA COMPETITION FRAMEWORK BASED ON PREVIOUS CONSULTATIONS

  1. Prior to issuing the TMCC, IMDA conducted two public consultations in 2019 and 2021 on the proposed policy positions for the TMCC. These policy positions were to align competition regulation of the media sector with the telecommunication sector. On 18 April 2022, IMDA issued a closing note to set out its decisions on feedback raised as part of the consultations (“TMCC Closing Note”).

  2. In the TMCC Closing Note, IMDA noted that several policy positions would require amendments to the Act before they could be implemented. MDDI/IMDA’s proposed amendments to the Act are in accordance with IMDA’s decisions in the TMCC Closing Note (see Table 1 below for details). The proposed amendments take reference from relevant provisions under the Telecommunications Act 1999 (“TA”), where appropriate, to ensure alignment between the regulatory regimes for telecommunication and media sectors, with adjustments to account for the unique characteristics of the media sector.  

Table 1: Amendments to Implement Consulted Changes to Media Competition Framework

S/N

IMDA’s Decision

Current Provision in the Act or TMCC

Reference(s) in Draft Bill

1.        

All transactions that result in any person acquiring ownership interests amounting to 30% or more voting shares/power in a regulated person (“RP”) shall be subject to IMDA’s prior approval.


Ref: Paragraph 197 of the TMCC Closing Note


Only transactions by RPs or ancillary media service providers that result in acquisitions totalling 30% or more of voting shares/power in a RP are subject to IMDA’s prior approval.


Ref: Section 65 of the Act

 

Clause 3 (inserting new section 59 into the Act),


Clause 9 (replacing section 65 of the Act).

2.        

For transactions that do not result in changes to the voting power held by shareholders of an RP (i.e. pro forma transactions), there shall no longer be a requirement to obtain IMDA’s prior approval. For consistency across both telecommunication and media sectors, there shall instead be a requirement to inform IMDA of pro forma transactions.


Ref: Paragraph 202 of the TMCC Closing Note


Transactions which meet specific thresholds in change of voting power will require IMDA’s prior written approval, regardless of whether they are pro forma.


Ref: Section 65 of the Act

Clause 9 (inserting new section 65(5) into the Act).


Subsequent subsidiary legislation will set out these pro forma transactions as prescribed transactions.

3.        

Anti-competitive agreements shall be void to the extent that it is anti-competitive.


Ref: Paragraph 116 of the TMCC Closing Note


The entire agreement will be void if it is deemed to be anti-competitive.


Ref: Section 62 of the Act


Clause 7 (replacing section 62(3) of the Act).

4.        

The power to order structural separation to RP shall vest with the Minister.


Ref: Paragraph 311 of the TMCC Closing Note



The power to order structural separation to RP is vested with IMDA.


Ref: Section 12.6.4.6 of TMCC


Clause 14 (inserting new section 69A into the Act).

5.        

Any person aggrieved by IMDA’s final decisions and directions may request IMDA to reconsider the matter, or appeal directly to the Minister.


Ref: Paragraph 304 of the TMCC Closing Note


Any person aggrieved by IMDA’s final decisions and directions may appeal only to the Minister, and is unable to request for IMDA’s reconsideration.


Ref: Section 68 of the Act (Note: amendments to the Act are needed before relevant sections of the TMCC for the media sector can be aligned with that of the telecommunication sector, and to avoid inconsistencies.)

Clause 12 (inserting new section 67A into the Act),


Clause 13 (replacing

section 68 in the Act).

PART III:  FURTHER REFINEMENTS TO THE MEDIA COMPETITION FRAMEWORK

  1. MDDI and IMDA also propose five other amendments to the Act to further refine the media competition framework.

  2. IMDA shall have powers to issue directions if, among other things, there is a contravention of the amended consolidation provisions (S/N 1 of Table 1). The directions may be issued to an RP or the person who acquires the specified level of control of equity interest or voting power in the RP. MDDI/IMDA note that similar provisions are present in the TA. Ref: Clause 9 of the Draft Bill, inserting new section 65AA into the Act.

  3. IMDA shall have powers to issue directions to RPs and owners or controllers of essential resource for the purposes of maintaining fair and efficient market conduct and effective competition in the media industry in Singapore or to safeguard interests of consumers by promoting fair, transparent and reliable provision of media services. This will enable IMDA to act swiftly to prevent anti-competitive behaviour and protect consumer interests. MDDI/IMDA note that similar provisions are present in the TA which allow IMDA to issue such directions to telecommunication licensees. Ref: Clause 6 of the Draft Bill, inserting new section 61A into the Act.

  4. The designation of a regulated person who is in a dominant position in a market (or any part of it) connected to the provision of media services in Singapore and a person who is an owner or controller of essential resources shall be by way of notice given by IMDA to the affected person – in any manner that secures adequate notification to the affected person of the designation. This includes service of such notice on the affected person in accordance with the provisions in the Act on service of documents. This is in place of the current mode of notification which is by way of publication in the Gazette. MDDI and IMDA note that in the telecommunication sector, persons designated as Dominant Licensees, as well as owners or controllers of Critical Support Infrastructure, are notified in a similar manner. Ref: Clause 2(b) of the Draft Bill, amending section 2 of the Act.

  5. IMDA shall have powers to obtain information to (i) ascertain a person’s equity interest or voting power in a regulated person; and (ii) for carrying out IMDA’s functions and duties in relation to the designation of a media resource as an essential resource. For example, IMDA may invoke these powers where the transaction concerns a complex shareholding structure or voting power arrangement. Ref: Clause 9 of the Draft Bill, inserting new section 65AB into the Act; and Clause 15 of the Draft Bill, inserting new section 71A into the Act.

  6. Apart from issuing codes of practice, standards of performance and advisory guidelines, IMDA may also approve any document not prepared by IMDA as a code of practice or standard of performance, if the document is considered as suitable. MDDI/IMDA note that similar provisions are present in the TA. Ref: Clause 5 of the Draft Bill, amending section 61 of the Act.

PART IV:  CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1999 FOR ALIGNMENT TO AMENDMENTS TO IMDA ACT INTRODUCED BY BILL

  1. MDDI and IMDA also propose the following consequential amendments to the TA to ensure consistency in the competition frameworks of both telecommunication and media sectors, purely for the purposes of alignment between both Acts.

Table 2: Amendments to the TA to mirror language in the Draft Bill

S/N

Provision in Draft Bill

Amendments to TA

1.       

Clause 17(a) of Draft Bill, replacing the existing section 37(14) of the TA with a new subsection.


To align language of section 37(14) of the TA with that in the new section 59(4) of the Act introduced by Clause 3 of the Draft Bill.

2.       

Clause 17(b) of the Draft Bill, replacing the existing section 42(1) of the TA with a new subsection.

To align the scope of IMDA’s powers under section 42 of the TA to obtain information relating to the control of Designated Telecommunication Licensees, Designated Business Trusts and Designated Trusts with that in the new section 65AB of the Act introduced by Clause 9 of the Draft Bill.

3.       

Clause 17(c), (d) and (e) of Draft Bill, amending section 92(3)(c)(iv), 92(6), and 92(19) of the TA.

To align Separation Order provisions under section 92 of the TA with that in the new section 69A(3)(c)(iv), 69A(6)(b) and 69A(18) of the Act introduced by Clause 14 of the Draft Bill.



PART V: PROCEDURES AND TIMEFRAME FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS

  1. MDDI and IMDA would like to seek views and comments from the industry and public on the proposed amendments to the Act and the proposed language in the Draft Bill.

  2. Respondents should organise their submissions as follows:

    1. Cover page (including their personal/company particulars and contact information);

    2. Table of contents;

    3. Summary of major points;

    4. Statement of interest;

    5. Comments; and

    6. Conclusion.

Supporting materials may be placed as an annex to the submission.

  1. All submissions should be written clearly and concisely, and should provide a reasoned explanation for any proposed revisions. Where feasible, respondents should identify the specific provision of the Act or the Draft Bill on which they are commenting, and explain the basis for their proposals.

  2. All submissions should reach MDDI/IMDA within 4 weeks, no later than 21 January 2026, 12 noon. Respondents are to adhere to this timeline, and late submissions will not be considered. Submissions are to be in softcopy only (in Microsoft Word or PDF format). Please submit your soft copies, with the email subject “Public Consultation on the Draft Info-communications Media Development Authority (Amendment) Bill [submitter’s name for individuals’ views/organisation name for organisations’ views]”, to: MediaRegulation@mddi.gov.sg.

  3. MDDI and IMDA reserve the right to make public all or parts of any written submission and to disclose the identity of the source. Respondents may request confidential treatment for any part of the submission that the respondent believes to be proprietary, confidential or commercially sensitive. Any such information should be clearly marked and placed in a separate annex. Respondents are also required to substantiate with reasons any request for confidential treatment. If MDDI and IMDA grant confidential treatment, it will consider, but will not publicly disclose, the information. If MDDI and IMDA reject the request for confidential treatment, it will return the information to the respondent that submitted it and will not consider this information as part of its review. As far as possible, respondents should limit any request for confidential treatment of information submitted. MDDI and IMDA will not accept any submission that requests confidential treatment of all, or a substantial part of, the submission.

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