The Art of Compromise

Last November, I made a regretful decision of repeating an article that ran in our September’07 issue, in our year-end directory, Asia Image Annual Guide. When it was re-printed in December, the country focus feature Into High Gear had unwittingly ruffled some feathers within the ranks of the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA).

Folks at the media regulatory body contended that certain information had not been updated, hence unfairly reflected the state of affairs then.

In the article, a few members of our local production community had raised questions about the ownership of intellectual property rights of public service broadcast (PSB) television programs. The rights of these fully State-funded programs reside with MDA. In October last year, MDA augmented the program rights framework, thereby allowing producers of the PSB programs to obtain licenses from MDA under “generous terms” to develop sequels and other spin-off content. The December copy did not carry the latter information.

In the interest of putting the matter to rest – yet clarifying whatever lingering doubts there were ‘out there’ in the industry – I met with Yeo Chun Cheng, MDA’s chief information officer and Tony Chow, president of Singapore’s Association of Independent TV Production Companies (AIPRO) for an informal discussion. This was my second meeting with the CIO – we shared a table and tossed Yu Sheng together at a MDA Lunar New Year function last year – except this time, he made an impression.

From the onset, Yeo showed a genuine interest in communicating MDA’s stance on the IP issue yet maintained an open and sincere disposition throughout. His candid repartee was a refreshing departure from the tight-lipped officials I’d met before – who were mostly adept at mining the PR machinery, yet revealing very little of substance or value.

Instead of pressing his case regardless, Yeo had the foresight to admit that the government “does not have all the answers” but wishes to “work towards the best possible solutions”. He rightfully invited feedback and open dialogue in order to “exploit the rights to their fullest potential”. In the interim, Yeo explained that producers had the option to re-use their own content through the licensing agreement, thus granting the situation a much needed respite.

Representing the aspirations of local producers, Chow too displayed finesse in the art of compromise. The incumbent president was inimitable in how he aligned the goals of AIPRO with those of MDA’s while providing enough incentives for both parties to meet halfway and more importantly, cooperate – his favorite word, I presumed.

The discussion was, in the end, a meeting of minds. Instead of being vindictive or blindly pursuing individual interests, both Yeo and Chow showed unwavering commitment towards their respective causes, while setting their sights firmly on the big picture. In short, they agreed to disagree – without having to reach an impasse in haste.

Perhaps the end of the three-month long writer’s strike in Hollywood – that leaves in its wake a raft of unresolved issues and billions in losses – serves as a timely reminder. It tells us not to take such amicably spirited leaders in our midst for granted; and to constantly search for common ground even in times where a compromise may appear fleeting.

Finally, to ensure that the industry is kept abreast of the situation at hand, during your discussions, it always helps to keep a responsible and unbiased media partner close by. Hint, hint.