In brief
Following a public consultation earlier this year by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Parliament passed the Info-communications Media Development Authority (Amendment) Bill on 7 May 2026.
The amendments align the media sector's competition and consumer protection framework more closely with that of the telecommunications sector, while giving IMDA broader oversight over ownership, changes in control and market conduct in the media sector.
The amendments will align the competition and consumer protection regulatory framework for the media sector with that of the telecommunication sector, whilst giving the IMDA stronger regulatory oversight over consumer protection, ownership and changes in control in the media sector.
Key takeaways
The amendments signal increased regulatory scrutiny on the competition and consumer protection aspects of the media sector, with broader change-in-control and approval threshold requirements for certain transactions, expanded powers to issue directions, including the power to order the structural separation of a dominant media player, amongst other key changes. Many of these changes would be familiar to those acquainted with the competition and consumer protection regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector.
Media businesses, investors and transaction parties should nevertheless assess whether the amendments may impact deal structuring, approval timelines, control analyses and ongoing compliance arrangements.
In more detail
Once the amendments come into effect, transactions that result in the person acquiring 30% or more equity interests or voting power in a Regulated Person (which has been broadened to include non-traditional media structures)1 effective control over its operations, or taking over the Regulated Person’s media business as a going concern, will require the IMDA’s prior approval.
The amendments also vest the Minister for Digital Development and Information with the power, as a measure of last resort, to order the structural separation of a dominant media player where existing or potential measures are insufficient to improve competition and the Minister considers separation to be in the public interest.
The amendments expand the IMDA’s powers, including to:
- Issue directions to address unfair market conduct in the media sector before a formal breach occurs, to ensure the fair, transparent and reliable provision of media services and safeguarding of consumers’ interest;
- Require the provision of specific information for specified purposes, including determining a person’s equity interests or voting power in a Regulated Person or for determining whether a media service should be designated as an essential resource; and
- Approve documents prepared by third parties, such as professional bodies or industry associations, as codes of practice or standards of performance for the media sector.
For more information on how these amendments may affect your business or transactions, please contact your usual Baker McKenzie contact.
Sanil Khatri, Daryl Seetoh, and Natalie Joy Huang, Local Principals, have contributed to this legal update.
1 Defined (a) a corporation which publishes a newspaper, the publication of which is authorised under a newspaper permit, including a newspaper company, or (b) the holder of a broadcasting licence or an entity whose business is regulated by a broadcasting licence, including a trust.
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