Latest news with #ST180
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Third Conversations with ST discusses the role and relevance of media with young professionals
The group discussions were facilitated by 11 members of ST's editorial team, including ST editor Jaime Ho (front row, left) and ST associate editor Zakir Hussain (second row, right). ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Third Conversations with ST discusses the role and relevance of media with young professionals SINGAPORE – The third session of The Straits Times' engagement series took place on the evening of May 27, bringing together 40 young professionals to share their perspectives on ST's role as a national news publication. The event, which ran for two hours, was part of the ST180 celebrations, marking the publication's 180th anniversary in 2025. Unlike earlier sessions, which were held as panel discussions, the latest event held at PPP Coffee @ New Bahru adopted a more intimate format, with participants divided into six smaller groups for deeper conversations. The group discussions were facilitated by 11 members of ST's editorial team, including ST editor Jaime Ho, ST associate editor Zakir Hussain and Mr Jeremy Au Yong, ST's associate editor (newsroom strategy). Topics explored ranged from how the newsroom selects stories for coverage and how ST can remain relevant to younger audiences, to the need for society to retain common spaces amid polarising viewpoints. Several participants said the session gave them a glimpse into newsroom decision-making, particularly in handling sensitive issues such as suicide coverage. This event was the first session that was open to the public. The previous sessions in the year-long series called Conversations with The Straits Times were invite-only events, the first in January involving individuals from non-profit organisations and the second in March involving junior college students. These sessions aim to facilitate candid discussions between ST and its audiences, by offering readers a chance to interact with the ST editorial team in person. To remain relevant to younger audiences, several participants suggested that ST should make greater use of its Telegram channel to push news updates, noting that many of their peers are active on the platform. Ms Edith Cheow Rui Xuan, 23, a final-year student at an institute of higher learning, said that the ST mobile app could provide incentives to encourage regular engagement. 'The ST app could provide reward perks for daily check-ins. Given the general inclination towards rewarding individuals for their time and effort, offering micro-rewards, gamified reading challenges or subscription tiers with exclusive benefits could encourage engagement,' she said. Some participants also suggested that ST develop an applet that could present or recommend relevant stories from its own website, whenever users visit other news sites such as The New York Times. Some also said they noticed a shift in ST's content over the years, including a growing emphasis on podcasts and short-form content. An example raised were the short video clips produced during the 2025 General Election, where journalists explained election-related news in a catchy and accessible format. ST senior columnist Lin Suling (centre) with participants at the third edition of Conversations with The Straits Times on May 27. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Discussions also explored the continued importance of journalistic objectivity in an increasingly polarised world. Participants reflected on how moderate voices often go unheard, while those with more extreme views sometimes dominate discourse. Acknowledging these concerns, Mr Ho emphasised ST's commitment to balanced and objective reporting, despite it potentially becoming more challenging with polarising views in society. Participants in some groups also expressed interest in seeing more coverage on topics such as alternative education pathways and mental health. ST recently launched a youth-focused series titled More than Grades, which spotlights students beyond their academic achievements. This follows a separate series – No health without mental health – that began in October 2024 to explore the topic of mental health in the local context. Ms Linda Lee, 37, a human-experience leadership coach and speaker, said: 'Younger audiences today aren't just passive consumers – they're looking for something that feels real, relevant, and worth their time. ST can really lean into that by covering more stories of the human experience.' For more information about ST180, visit
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Your Singapore Story: A special series to mark The Straits Times' 180th anniversary is launched
(Clockwise from top left) Mr Bob Lee and his son Jun Le, busking duo Davidson Teo and Gillian Goh, Mr Ahmad Zahid Isnin, Ms Latha Govindasamy and Mr Davin Choo share their stories for ST180. PHOTOS: SPH MEDIA SINGAPORE - Behind every morning kopi ritual, every stroll through the heartland and every festive gathering lies a story that connects us as Singaporeans. Every Singaporean has a story to share, be it a moment of triumph, a time of struggle, or years of perseverance. Take photographer Bob Lee, 49, who refuses to set limits on what his son, Jun Le, who has autism and is now 18, can achieve. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they discovered Jun Le's talent for calligraphy. Mr Lee now uses photography and conducts public talks to raise awareness about autism because, as he says, if parents do not share these stories, who will? There is chef and entrepreneur Ahmad Zahid Isnin, 47, who dons big-headed doll costumes at Chinese funeral processions. 'People find it strange that I... would take part in something so deeply rooted in Chinese traditions. But I never saw it as belonging to just one group,' he says. 'These rites, these performances – they are part of Singapore's cultural fabric. And, somehow, I found a place in them.' Meanwhile, former educator Latha Govindasamy, 56, gives cheer to migrant workers through a soup kitchen in Little India that she co-founded with her sisters and their husbands in 2018. Krsna's Free Meals provides free breakfast, lunch and dinner to these workers, many of whom leave their dorms before dawn. Her family wants to do more. 'We want to go into the heartland, have a central kitchen and make food accessible to all Singaporeans,' she adds. The Straits Times has told stories like theirs over the years, and will continue to do so. To mark its 180th anniversary since its first edition on July 15, 1845, ST is launching a special feature to capture these stories that have an impact on communities and neighbourhoods, and reflect who Singaporeans are as a people. Titled Your Singapore Story, the special series celebrates the lives, memories and dreams of people in every corner of the country, from tales of resilience and reinvention to the quiet moments in everyday life. The first set of 12 stories is available at with accompanying videos, and more stories and videos will be added in the coming weeks. Among those currently featured are long-time friends Davidson Teo, 66, and Gillian Goh, 70, who busk across the island as Silver Hype. The duo sing in different languages to reach a diverse audience, particularly seniors who may feel isolated in their golden years. Also featured is fitness coach Davin Choo, 30, who during the Covid-19 pandemic taught Singaporeans on Instagram how to work out while self-isolating, with unorthodox gym set-ups made from everyday household items like wooden poles and rice sacks. 'It makes me glad that I made the right choice to try out fitness,' says Mr Choo. 'I'm also happy I'm able to use my story and this message to reach out to and motivate others to become the best version of themselves.'
