StraitsTimes' uneven reporting of SGP issues - change needed

blueheeler SG

Today's newspaper sings praises for S'pore's ranking as one of the world's top 20 'most liveable cities' (World section, page 40). Notice the many photos on that page, and the emphasis on the things here that helped S'pore win that accolade.

A few days ago, S'pore was listed as one of the top 20 most expensive cities in the world for expats, and it was reported in a slim, photo-less column. There was little analysis about why things are so expensive here (S'pore is more expensive to live in than New York, and also S'pore was ranked 17th last year but 14th this year). I expect a S'porean newspaper worth its salt would launch an investigative piece on the rising costs in S'pore and the effects on its people and economy, but after what happened to mrbrown's column in Today newspaper (see http://blueheeler.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/another-sad-day-for-press-unfreedom-in-spore/, and http://blueheeler.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/another-cherry-on-top-please-pm-lee/), I have more faith in a reformed sex-addict in a wh-orehouse than our newspapers' ability to show all sides of the news and dig for answers.

How I wish someone somewhere in the world would be kind enough to fund a non-govt-linked local newspaper/website here in S'pore (such as www.malaysiakini.com in Malaysia) so to give us fresh perspectives and alternatives to the local news currently dished out to us.

LazerLordz SG

Investigative journalism at the ST? Laughing

4getmenot SG

u know to have an independent newspaper in s'pore is next to impossible...or should i say its impossible wif the current gahmen.. just take the reports on the ST with a dose of salt.. Mr. Green

hloc SG

All those report are done by reporter from other countries. ST just use those report in the paper.......

I think both report are from difference agency..... one on best places to stay for FT (cost of living.. etc) and the other on the best City to live in (not about how much it cost).

So, of course there is a difference.

AndrewPKYap SG

investigative journalism to investigate how to protect their rice bowls at all costs.... who can blame them? Laughing

ShutterBug SG

I believe this belongs in the "Wishful Thinking" section...

charlize SG

How come ST never report why Singapore is not ranked number 1 most livable city in the world despite having a 'top class" government that is paid the highest ministerial salary in the world?

Why? Laughing

Icemoon SG

A "top class" government doesn't mean everything must be number 1.

Kuali Baba SG

We have the internet and the views of commoners who surf it. You be the judge. Wink

robertteh SG

PM Lee has prohibited the local newspapers from crusading journalism.

What is crusading journalism, God knows.

With this this of prohibition, surely the newspapers editors will know what is expected of them and the best way will be to write good reports about government policies and set aside any forum letters which may lead to questioning of the government policies or actions on any major issues.

There have been many problems like the NKF but these were not reported because of such sweeping prohibition.

So the media could not play a role in nation building to expose wrong doings and increase accountability of government.

Under this type of system problems will be covered up and allowed to get worse affecting more people before they could be discovered years later like happening to many government ministers over loss of funds or pre-signing of cheques or failure to comply financial procedures.

So our leaders believe that there is an overwhelming need to control the media to preserve law and order but what they are achieving is the opposite of concealing problems and creating malpractices which at the end lead to chaos and greater disorders.

rane SG

As usual, it is the propaganda game they are playing.

bigmouthjoe SG

And those sissies are crying foul and banning political podcast when they are playing this game all the while...

Makes you wonder how much more are they actually hiding from us...

rane SG

Guess lots of it are hidden under the carpet. STs, media in spore are all the way for the gahmen sometimes at the expense of the people. Sad to know how the media is manipulated to protect one's selfish interest! Mr. Green

charlize SG

Then why pay top class salaries? Laughing

carrotsoup SG

To make top class mistakes,
that have top class losses,
cause by top class leaders,
who take top class pay,
who have top class benefits,
Smiling their top class smile.
and having the top class answer of "lets move on."

Wow top class now sounds like a dirty word.
Rap to that if you like.