Our earlier comments in relation to the advances in technologically enabled media illustrate this process vividly. These developments in technology, and in particular the growing availability of digital technology, have had and will continue to have a dramatic effect. The traditional distinctions between the various media will increasingly be blurred. In a digital environment content, whether moving images, sound, text or data, will be freely transmittable across any medium. It is not our view that such competition inevitably means the end of regional newspapers.
Regional newspapers retain a number of attractive advantages.
Paper retains characteristics of durability and portability, that cannot be currently matched by electronic media. The impact of these dynamic changes on regional newspapers remains uncertain. Regulation will however play a significant role in these future developments. Like any other sector within the communications industry, the ability of regional newspapers to adapt to these changes of convergence will to a significant extent be determined by sector specific and general media regulations. Most, if not all of the issues regarding the effects of convergence on competition and plurality, are identical to those faced by the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors.