Integrated Regulatory Bodies in the Age of Technological Convergence

Paweł Stępka

English version of the article

The process of technological convergence has for many years been the symbol of deep and dynamic changes which can be observed at the junction of the media/ telecommunication sectors and computer technologies. The results are visible in many aspects of modern media functioning and have an influence on the shaping of domestic institutional/legal regulation of the sector. In consequence, many countries have debated over the creation of integrated regulatory bodies incorporating the telecommunications and electronic media sectors. The goal of the article is not to adjudicate but to make the readers familiar with the issue and to put into order the so far debate on this subject by outlining the key contentious issues, the dilemmas and arguments for and against. Moreover, it attempts to answer the question as to what degree the process of technological convergence has inspired the decision to create integrated regulatory bodies and whether other factors were influential as well. The goal of the article was to also analyse the interdependencies between the regulatory bodies and the process of technological convergence.

KEYWORDS

independent regulatory authority, electronic media, technological convergence, the European Union