Above all, these will be concerned with policies to promote basic rights, especially freedom of speech and the press. There will be other concerns consumer protection, and the advancement of the nation s culture. For example, it is common in many countries to specify a minimum number of hours of local content. Technology allows or will soon allow the streaming of TV broadcasts through the Internet. How likely the entrance of such broadcasters will be has yet to be seen, particularly where a domestic market is protected by language.
Communities like to see news and entertainment that is about and involves that community.
We have yet to see the extent to which streamed or satellite foreign broadcasts can conquer domestic markets. Certainly, dubbed foreign films have been successful in the world s cinemas. In any event, public authorities who wish to maintain local content will have to consider the range of options open to them. Mandatory broadcast requirements of local content by commercial broadcasters may no longer be viable. Only time will tell.