National Responses to International Satellite Television.

Star TV, the first international satellite broadcast system in Asia, has had a profound effect on national broadcasting systems, most of which are rigidly controlled, state owned monopoly organizations. The purpose of this paper was to study the response of national governments, media industries, and the general public to this multichannel direct broadcast service. India is used as a case study because it is generally representative of Asian national broadcast environments and has been specially targeted as a potential market for Star TV's services. Public response to the service has been enthusiastic. Industry has mainly viewed it as a short-term, money-making opportunity. Governments, however, perceive Star TV as a commercial/economic enterprise, and their policy responses have also been governed by this perception. Efforts made by governments so far have been either to strengthen domestic broadcast systems, or to control cable systems that function as carriers for satellite signals. No attempt has been made to apply the provisions of international law which guarantee nations the right of prior consultation and consent to satellite broadcasting or to evolve supranational regional regulatory frameworks. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/KRN)